Tortoise Sanctuary in Florida?

robensky

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Hello fellow tortoise owners. I wanted to see if there were any trustworthy Florida sanctuaries for a sulcata, or any trustworthy sulcata owners looking for a new friend.

3 years ago I found Squirt, a hatchling sulcata walking across the road. I thought she was a large beetle she was so small! There were 2 "wild" sulcata roaming around our neighborhood for 2-3 years that must have been released pets years ago, and must have mated. The FWC came and removed the 2 adult tortoises, and I found Squirt running across the road a day later. The neighbors tried to say they were an invasive species...

We have raised her since then, becoming obsessive tortoise parents with a diet probably healthier than my own, perfect amount of light, soaking, etc. She is now 10" at only 3 years old and full of energy. My terrible neighbors however have filed a complaint with the homeowners, because Squirt spends most of her time on our patio, and they have given us 90 days to either move, or no longer have squirt. Apparently there is a rule against "exotic animals living on your patio or backyard".

We are crushed, so not just looking to "send her off" to anyone, but really looking for the best place for her, and willing to drive any distance for her!

I found some options on google but wanted to pros opinions. Thank you
Have you found a suitable home yet? I have a Mojave desert tortoise that has been raised by family members & just recently brought her to Florida. She is 10 &1/2. I would love for her to have a friend.
 

HAMPS77

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New Freedom Pennsylvania
Hello fellow tortoise owners. I wanted to see if there were any trustworthy Florida sanctuaries for a sulcata, or any trustworthy sulcata owners looking for a new friend.

3 years ago I found Squirt, a hatchling sulcata walking across the road. I thought she was a large beetle she was so small! There were 2 "wild" sulcata roaming around our neighborhood for 2-3 years that must have been released pets years ago, and must have mated. The FWC came and removed the 2 adult tortoises, and I found Squirt running across the road a day later. The neighbors tried to say they were an invasive species...

We have raised her since then, becoming obsessive tortoise parents with a diet probably healthier than my own, perfect amount of light, soaking, etc. She is now 10" at only 3 years old and full of energy. My terrible neighbors however have filed a complaint with the homeowners, because Squirt spends most of her time on our patio, and they have given us 90 days to either move, or no longer have squirt. Apparently there is a rule against "exotic animals living on your patio or backyard".

We are crushed, so not just looking to "send her off" to anyone, but really looking for the best place for her, and willing to drive any distance for her!

I found some options on google but wanted to pros opinions. Thank you
Might be a long shot, but I figured I’d throw an idea out there. Kenan Harkin owns a very notorious reptile sanctuary in florida. I’m sure you could contact him through his business email which can be found on his YouTube channel, which is Kamp Kenan. He’s been dealing with tortoises for decades so I’m sure he wouldn’t mind taking in another.
 

ZEROPILOT

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Have you found a suitable home yet? I have a Mojave desert tortoise that has been raised by family members & just recently brought her to Florida. She is 10 &1/2. I would love for her to have a friend.
Tortoises do not need or want friends.
 

ZEROPILOT

REDFOOT WRANGLER
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robensky, I believe

ZEROPILOT

Was just stating a fact.
Yes
And trying to keep a new keeper from getting into trouble.
In this type of format, it's easy to come off as rude, etc.
It's unfortunate.
That wasn't the intention.
I've been having health issues and I've abbreviated some of my answers to use fewer words.
Getting a tortoise a friend sounds great to us mammals. But to a solitary tortoise, it's a recipe for a lot of stress and illness.
Each individual species would need its 100% own enclosure, etc. And if possible they should never even see one another.
With this as your guidelines, you can keep as many species as you have the space for.
A Redfoot will need at least a 10'x10' enclosure with special lighting and humidity.
A Desert tort would need about the same space, but will have different feeding and husbandry needs.
 
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MenagerieGrl

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Yes
And trying to keep a new keeper from getting into trouble.
In this type of format, it's easy to come off as rude, etc.
It's unfortunate.
That wasn't the intention.
I've been having health issues and I've abbreviated some of my answers to use fewer words.
Zero Pilot, that was my impression. I Just tried to clarify things.
Sorry bout your health issues, and thanks for continuing to help here under your present conditions....(smiles)
 

ZEROPILOT

REDFOOT WRANGLER
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Zero Pilot, that was my impression. I Just tried to clarify things.
Sorry bout your health issues, and thanks for continuing to help here under your present conditions....(smiles)
Thanks.
Unfortunately I've P'ed off a few other new members in the past the same way.
Some answers are just too frank.
Too abrupt.
Though at the time, they seemed ok to me.
I wouldn't answer if I wasn't trying to help.
 

ZEROPILOT

REDFOOT WRANGLER
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Being! You know i joined this group in hopes of getting & giving good safe information. Guess i was wring. I shall remove myself from this forum now.
If you have decided to stick around, please read my response and please accept my apology.
 

Cathie G

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Thanks.
Unfortunately I've P'ed off a few other new members in the past the same way.
Some answers are just too frank.
Too abrupt.
Though at the time, they seemed ok to me.
I wouldn't answer if I wasn't trying to help.
I've done the same for something I didn't even say. I'm sorry to see you're having health issues. You were very important to me when I joined TFO and still are. It made me know someone would answer with experience. I didn't join TFO to get all positive happy messages. I joined to get pros and cons in my care and I've received that.☺️ So don't let this discourage you.
 

Jan A

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@Yvonne G
As you feel it's warranted, this side issue of the percieved rude post can be moved to another thread.
I'm sorry to have gotten off of track
You weren't rude, just concise. There are hundreds of threads on this subject; it's almost a daily subject somewhere. Clearly some people are too sensitive when people disagree with them. We have a fight going on in another thread today. Be well.
 

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