Shipping tortoises...

when I got my first tortoise I was concerned about shipping and drove 3 hours to pick him up.. that must have been rough on him no lighting and uncontrollable temps ( let alone my driving ). but he came out of it okay.

my second I had shipped, he was sent at 5pm to Florida and I picked him up at 9am at my local fedex here in Vermont. he was packaged beautifully and arrive uninjured and in great health.

I believe it all lies on the sender, if they care about their animals and package them correctly they do fine.

my only other option here was to get a pet store tortoise and though that is fine for some people I wanted one started out well and that had been cared for properly.

Eatapeach said:

Theres my issue to the ones flaming because I mentioned "it's for a buck"
Again based on implications... You'd drive four hrs for an expensive animal, but not one " that has little monetary value" ?
So it's not about the animals welfare,it's about yours? Right? It's a business for you

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I can't speak for the doctor, but I've driven more than 3 hours each way to rescue CA DTs which have zero monetary value and cannot be bought or sold. So, no, its not about the money and its not a business for me and many others here.

I was going to let this lie and just walk away, but you persist…

If you don't want to ship, then don't ship. I've got no problem with anyone who doesn't want to ship. But please stop attempting to malign people who don't see any harm in shipping. Your feelings are based on a lack of understanding and experience. There are people here who have been shipping for decades and they are sharing their experience with you, yet you insist on unjustifiably insulting them and painting them in a bad light. I don't know what your reason is since you have no idea what you are talking about, but please just stop.

Amen.

No sense continuing this thread. It has become a waste of my time.

Tom said:

I can't speak for the doctor, but I've driven more than 3 hours each way to rescue CA DTs which have zero monetary value and cannot be bought or sold. So, no, its not about the money and its not a business for me and many others here.

I was going to let this lie and just walk away, but you persist…

If you don't want to ship, then don't ship. I've got no problem with anyone who doesn't want to ship. But please stop attempting to malign people who don't see any harm in shipping. Your feelings are based on a lack of understanding and experience. There are people here who have been shipping for decades and they are sharing their experience with you, yet you insist on unjustifiably insulting them and painting them in a bad light. I don't know what your reason is since you have no idea what you are talking about, but please just stop.

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I'll just address this then let it go...
First off,my last wasn't directed at you ,so.......

I wasn't attempting to malign anyone. I never mocked anyone for their decisions. I was trying to understand the packing procedures etc
My feelings may be based on lack of understanding and experience....I get accused of not knowing what I'm talking about, well,that why I asked for info. Apparently I didn't ask the right way and people got offended despite me saying I didn't mean it that way.

Sharing experience?? People said they've done it successfully. Ok that's great. But it didn't address the question. Only one other actually gave me any real information.
I didn't paint anyone in a bad light, I asked questions based on their implications.
I get called out for my inadequate phrasing ,that's ok. But When I ask why one would drive for and expensive tort and not a "cheaper" one,I'm accused of insulting and maligning....Silly..

The whole thing started when I read that someone's tort needed to acclimated to the new enclosure to reduce stress etc...
Then the next thing I read was about shipping across country. I found it surprising so many ship,and thought I'd ask why and how. I didn't realize I'd hit such a nerve.

I'm done.
Happy shipping

I also have no experience in shipping a tortoise. I do have experience in receiving them by shipping and a few other animals too. In my opionion it is stressful. To me it's common sense they would get stressed. Heck, humans get stressed when driving or flying and they choose it. To say they don't get stressed, in my opinion would be a lie. It comes down to me it's a form of stress that if done correctly and the whole trip runs smoothly, it's a stressed that is and can be relieved quickly once it's over and no harm is done. It's a consistent stress that will kill or sicken an animal or human. Not a short lived stressed that ends up well.

@Tom, @Yvonne
Can someone close this thread?

ALDABRAMAN said:

~ I must say we truly do not like to ship, simply not worth the risk for us. We would prefer not to ship and delay a sale to another customer.

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Super interesting...

You are known for your breeding program. You ARE the ALDABRAMAN after all
If a warm climate- out of state- well known tort keeper wanted one from you, how would they get it? Do you ever consider shipping, at all? Would they have to drive to you and back? Or is your stock just off limits?

I ask simply out of curiosity. Desiring to have a friendly discussion. sharing that disclaimer- just in case

I recently sent 2 adult box turtles to another member. First I stuffed them into socks. Then I packed in bubble wrap and newspaper. They do not go flopping around, they usually just sleep. They are held in position with all the crap I put in. They were picked up the next morning at the FedEx depot, and they were both fine. The only money exchanged was the shipping. Not all of us are in it for the money. Most people who are breeders, ship, that's how it goes.

Team Gomberg said:

Super interesting...

You are known for your breeding program. You ARE the ALDABRAMAN after all
If a warm climate- out of state- well known tort keeper wanted one from you, how would they get it? Do you ever consider shipping, at all? Would they have to drive to you and back? Or is your stock just off limits?

I ask simply out of curiosity. Desiring to have a friendly discussion. sharing that disclaimer- just in case

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~ We have contracted for shipping many times, however after Sam @ Florida Iguana & Tortoise had three young imported aldabras die while being shipped, we really shy away and would prefer to just pass on a sale that requires shipping. I get that many ship to sell tortoises, fortunately we are not motivated to just sell for financial gains. We sell everything without any trouble and sometimes shipping is just not a good option for us or worth the risk.

Eatapeach might find this thread informative. It is pinned at the top of the "General" section:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-safely-ship-a-tortoise-or-turtle.1379/

Valerie0426 said:

@Tom, @Yvonne
Can someone close this thread?

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So far it's fine to stay open. Only the OP can request it to be closed and it happen. Otherwise, until it goes south, it stays open. Lots to learn here if everyone just plays nice. Also would help if they read all the threads, at least from the OP before posting.

ALDABRAMAN said:

~ We have contracted for shipping many times, however after Sam @ Florida Iguana & Tortoise had three young imported aldabras die while being shipped, we really shy away and would prefer to just pass on a sale that requires shipping. I get that many ship to sell tortoises, fortunately we are not motivated to just sell for financial gains. We sell everything without any trouble and sometimes shipping is just not a good option for us or worth the risk.

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Thanks for answering.

Good thing you are in Florida, a great aldabra state (from what I've learned) and local sales aren't a problem!

When I moved from CA to OR I brought 3 leopards. I was hoping to have a 1:2 trio for breeding. Realizing that this climate isn't going to make it as easy to house multiple torts and find local homes for offspring, I shipped 2 away. 1 to AZ 1 to TX. Turns out they were both males, too! LOL

I'm so glad I shipped them to warm states. I keep in touch with the new owners (both TFOers) and they are doing great! It was a great thing that shipping was an option.

@Jodie impresses me with her dedication to keeping multiple torts in her cold climate. : tort:

Team Gomberg said:

Thanks for answering.

Good thing you are in Florida, a great aldabra state (from what I've learned) and local sales aren't a problem!

When I moved from CA to OR I brought 3 leopards. I was hoping to have a 1:2 trio for breeding. Realizing that this climate isn't going to make it as easy to house multiple torts and find local homes for offspring, I shipped 2 away. 1 to AZ 1 to TX. Turns out they were both males, too! LOL

I'm so glad I shipped them to warm states. I keep in touch with the new owners (both TFOers) and they are doing great! It was a great thing that shipping was an option.

@Jodie impresses me with her dedication to keeping multiple torts in her cold climate. : tort:

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Thank you. We enjoy a challenge. That was a very nice thing to say.

Team Gomberg said:

Thanks for answering.

Good thing you are in Florida, a great aldabra state (from what I've learned) and local sales aren't a problem!

When I moved from CA to OR I brought 3 leopards. I was hoping to have a 1:2 trio for breeding. Realizing that this climate isn't going to make it as easy to house multiple torts and find local homes for offspring, I shipped 2 away. 1 to AZ 1 to TX. Turns out they were both males, too! LOL

I'm so glad I shipped them to warm states. I keep in touch with the new owners (both TFOers) and they are doing great! It was a great thing that shipping was an option.

@Jodie impresses me with her dedication to keeping multiple torts in her cold climate. : tort:

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Heather, it's really not that much harder. Just more expense, a little more hands on work and a bigger indoor enclosure then just a night box is needed.

wellington said:

Heather, it's really not that much harder. Just more expense, a little more hands on work and a bigger indoor enclosure then just a night box is needed.

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More expense is harder for those now on a budget southern Oregon jobs pay very differently than SoCal jobs!

And I don't want any indoor enclosure.

But its ok. I'm happy with the 1 and happy I could ship the others out

Grandpa Turtle 144 said:

I wanted to say the same thing but couldn't think of the words ! We are here to answer your questions nicely ! I'm sorry but some are here to start arguments , not to help ! Have a great day !

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So true @Grandpa Turtle 144 ! Some members are here just to post HURTFUL words rather than help, do not know why.

Yvonne G said:

Eatapeach might find this thread informative. It is pinned at the top of the "General" section:

http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-safely-ship-a-tortoise-or-turtle.1379/

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Oh how I wish that thread would go away, I meant to contact TF staff about it a while ago. That isn't proper shipping technique at all, and doesn't meet the packaging requirements for live reptiles for FedEx (nor ShipYourReptiles).

I know it is nearly 10 years old now, but I would hate to see someone ship that way in 2016.

Robyn@TRR said:

Oh how I wish that thread would go away, I meant to contact TF staff about it a while ago. That isn't proper shipping technique at all, and doesn't meet the packaging requirements for live reptiles for FedEx (nor ShipYourReptiles).

I know it is nearly 10 years old now, but I would hate to see someone ship that way in 2016.

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Upon seeing this post. I am working and going to work on getting it updated.

Awesome : )