What to do with an adult sulcata if ...

Bee62

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Hello tortoise friends,

there is a questions that I`m somtimes thinking about since I am an owner of sulcata tortoises:
"What to do with an adult sulcata when I am getting too old to keep him or her, or when I have to die....."

Mayby you might say why didn`t you ask yourself this question before you bought them ?
Honestly: I don`t know.
But when I read trough sulcata threads I realize that most of the owners are older, just like me.
So I think many tortoises will live longer than their owners.
What will you do when you`re getting old and you have a big tortoise ?
Do you all have children or family members that will keep your tort when you are dead ?

I know that is a very personally question and theme. Please excuse me for being so curious, but it is really preoccupying me.

Sabine
 

Jodie

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My children know they will be responsible for my tortoises. I have talked to my husband and children, and they know how to regime any they cannot continue to care for.
 

Yvonne G

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Well, I'm trying to sell my two Aldabran tortoises for just that reason. But for any of the others, I'd just adopt them out. I'd go to the person's house and take a look at their tortoise area, and make sure they understand how to care for the tortoise.

My family has already told me they're not interested.
 

teresaf

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Well, I'm trying to sell my two Aldabran tortoises for just that reason. But for any of the others, I'd just adopt them out. I'd go to the person's house and take a look at their tortoise area, and make sure they understand how to care for the tortoise.

My family has already told me they're not interested.
Make sure your family knows to get on here and let us know that the torts are up for adoption. I want your MEPs ;) hahaha. A well-known member can advise them. Any of us could die tomorrow not giving us any time to find new families for our torts.
 

teresaf

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My meps go to my grandchild because they were in their shells when she was in her mommy's belly making the the same age (sort of). My leopard would probably have to be rehomed. My daughter and my husband really aren't interested in the tortoises.
 

Tom

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I would hope my wife would have the sense to come here and offer up some free tortoises to good homes.

Its pretty easy to place free tortoises here in SoCal.
 

Pearly

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I bought my 2 RFs for hobby keeping for my daughter (BIG MISTAKE!!!) who was then only 10 yrs old and seemed a lot more mature then most kids her age... well, didn't take very long bfr new school (middle) and trying to make new friends and fit in became her primary focus for a while which is totally understandable, so I quiety stepped in more and more, and at one point we both made a decision that I will be their primary caretaker with her being my "first assistant". 2 yrs later, she still has hand in our daily tort operations but I no longer have to nag... i know!!!! I became "one of those parents" who give in to kids who want a new puppy and before long they are left all alone with daily puppy chores. My daughter still loves her tortoises but in case she is not in a place in her life at the time i can no longer care for them where she could do it, I have younger twin sons who also consider our tort to be part of our family. I think they will figure it out. I'm teaching all 3 of them all the skills I have learned from this Forum. Btw, good thread! I bet most of us didn't think about any of that when deciding to get a tortoise
 

eric joranson

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Live for today; and plan for tomorrow....Since I am the last of my family; I have friends that I have taught how to care for; all of my animals (a 48 year old cockatoo; a 4 year old German shepherd; and of course the tortoise). Since working on the ocean I have always had to think about what would happen if I did not come home...(so my appointed friends have already talked it over and are aware they are ready to take over). I have in my will; an amount set aside for each animal; for their care. That being said; I still plan on outliving all of them :p
 

zovick

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Live for today; and plan for tomorrow....Since I am the last of my family; I have friends that I have taught how to care for; all of my animals (a 48 year old cockatoo; a 4 year old German shepherd; and of course the tortoise). Since working on the ocean I have always had to think about what would happen if I did not come home...(so my appointed friends have already talked it over and are aware they are ready to take over). I have in my will; an amount set aside for each animal; for their care. That being said; I still plan on outliving all of them :p

Very good plan!
 

Bee62

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Thank you all for your answers.

@Jodie
I envy you. To have a family who can care for the tortoises is the best solution for that problem.

@Yvonne G
I have fear that in 20 years ( when god let me live as long ) I will be in the same situation as you now ( without aldabras but with sulcatas ).
To adopt them out will be heartbreaking for me... but the only solution. What a pitty that your family is not interested in your tortoises. I am sorry for this.

@teresaf
It is sad that your daughter is not interested in tortoises. Mayby your grandchild will not only take the meps, rather the leopard too.

@Tom
Yes, you are right: Tortoises for free might be rehomed easily. Unfortunately some people think when it`s for free it is worthless. I have made these bitter experience with rehoming an old horse that I have saved from the slaughterer many years ago.
To sell a dead thing like a car is so easy, but a living animal.... I don`t trust people any more.

@Pearly
The fate of parents whose kids wants to own a pet....
But you are such a wonderful "substitute pet mother" !
I hope that your daughter sometime will remeber that she was the one who wanted the Redfoots, or one of your sons will take them.

@eric joranson
Live for today and plan for tomorrow...
What a good sentence. That`s exactly the way I live !
Sorry to hear that you are the last of your family, but lucky to read that you have good friends that would take your animals in the worst case ....
My situation is similar as yours and I think I have to do the same as you: Write down the last will and giving the one who will take my animals money for their care.
I wish that you will overlive your animals and I will try to do the same..... with my cats and dogs it`ll be no problem, but he torts ......

By the way: Would you post some pics of your cockatoo and your German shepard dog ? Please....
Because this thread is about animals I think it`ll be no OT.
 

Bee62

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@all

Please feel free to post your answers too. I am looking forward for them.
 

wellington

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I was hoping my son would take care of them, but he has no interest.
I'm hoping someone that knows what my animals mean to me will step in at least to make sure they go to a good place. Mom also hoping @tortadise is still in need of and has room for more tortoises:rolleyes:
 

crifferdoodle

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I'm 22,(almost 23) but I've discussed this with my family: my children or my sister will take care of them. Since we don't have kids yet, they will be able to grow up with our tortoise and, I'm sure, learn to love it and care for it. If not then my sister will take care of them. :<3:
 

chaseswife

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My 12 year old son is planning on taking our tortoise when he has his own home AND I am ready to pass him on. If for some reason he can't take it I do have 4 other kids. The 12 year old has just put in the most effort into caring for our tortoise and has expressed the desire to have him.
 

teresaf

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My meps go to my grandchild because they were in their shells when she was in her mommy's belly making the the same age (sort of). My leopard would probably have to be rehomed. My daughter and my husband really aren't interested in the tortoises.
I forgot that my niece @Peliroja32 now has a leopard tortoise so maybe she'll want my Big Daddy Diesel.... hopefully hers is a girl.....
 

Bee62

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I was hoping my son would take care of them, but he has no interest.
I'm hoping someone that knows what my animals mean to me will step in at least to make sure they go to a good place. Mom also hoping @tortadise is still in need of and has room for more tortoises:rolleyes:

It is always sad when children have no interest owning a "family" tortoise.
Knowing someone who will take the tort makes it easier to look calm in the future.
Thank you for your answer.
 

Bee62

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I'm 22,(almost 23) but I've discussed this with my family: my children or my sister will take care of them. Since we don't have kids yet, they will be able to grow up with our tortoise and, I'm sure, learn to love it and care for it. If not then my sister will take care of them. :<3:

23 years, what a "sweet" age ....:)
I wish I could be so young again ... :rolleyes:
I hope that you will have :D a lot of :D children that will love your tortoise and willing to care for him or her.
Thank you for your answer.
 

Bee62

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My 12 year old son is planning on taking our tortoise when he has his own home AND I am ready to pass him on. If for some reason he can't take it I do have 4 other kids. The 12 year old has just put in the most effort into caring for our tortoise and has expressed the desire to have him.

That`s how it should be when someone has children. I can`t understand that children who grow up und live with a family tort have no interest in keeping it when mom or dad is too old.
You are lucky to have children that loves your tort.
Thank you for your answer.
 

Bee62

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I forgot that my niece @Peliroja32 now has a leopard tortoise so maybe she'll want my Big Daddy Diesel.... hopefully hers is a girl.....

This is the solution of our problem: We need new and young TFO members who are interested in adopting a tortoise from another "old" TFO member. :eek: :D
Unfortenately it is no solution for me .... because I don`t live in America.:(:(:(
 

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