Actually getting a Tort

[KellyAF]

Hi! like I mentioned in my intro I am here for my mother, doing all the research since she is not computer savvy, and I am also doing it from afar. I think she would be happy with a Russian, but I was wondering if places like PetSmart or other Pet Stores are as controversial with Tortoises like they are with dogs/puppy mills, and other animals/breeders. I do not want to urge my mom to go get one from a Pet Store if it will be supporting the mass production of any animal.

How would she go about finding (or me finding for her) a breeder/rescue in her area? I would LOVE to provide a rescue for her to go to so she can adopt one that needs a home if there is such a thing near her. I personally am a supporter of rescue first. My mother who grew up in a different light, and time does not really care where it comes from.... but since I am the one providing all this information, I will urge her to do it my way first.

 

[Torty Mom]

You can post a request in the wanted section and indicate where you are located. Many breeders ship torties too! Good luck!!

 

[Fernando]

There are turtle/tortoise chapters available almost everywhere. You can also call you local pound and research to see if they got any. Russians are common especially males. I would not purchase from petco or petsmart, like you said you'd be supporting the importation of these tortoises to major corporations.

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We also have local breeders here in TFO.

 

[Jacqui]

I know your thinking strongly toward something like a Russian, which most at pet stores will be wild caught (WC). They may tell you differently, but odds are slim that it is indeed CB (captive bred).

I for one have no problems with buying from the pet store. Yes, they may take the another tortoise out of the wild to fill the slot back up of the animal you would buy, yes they may have been horribly treated at capture and in shipping, BUT why make the one tortoise that is there before you, be the one to pay the price for what MAY happen?

WC or CB, that is an issue we each have to deal with for ourselves.

There are many rescues around and some will ship. Once more you need to decide if the shipping option is right for you.

Craig's or Freecycle lists often have animals needing new homes and or rescuing from their current ones.

Then you have other wholesellers (like on Kingsnake or even in our own sell threads) and even breeders to choose from.

Lots of options to choose from.

 

[Missy]

I'm for rescue

 

[dmmj]

I have gotten many turtles and tortoises off of craigslist, I simply post a taking in unwanted turtles and or tortoises. you could simply post a "looking for a russian tortoise who needs a home" depending on the area you may get many responses ( if you do, let me know if any females pop up LOL) You can also try freecycle like mentioned above, but in my area I only got 2 RES's off of there, so it may not have a lot up for adoption. In your ad offer to give a small rehoming fee, now I guess you will have to decide if you post the ad in your area and then ship to your mom, or if you post it in her area field the queries yourself and then have someone take it to her. I don't like most petstores myself for many reasons but a pet store may be your best option, just a forewarning if you get one from a petstore 99 percent are WC and will most likely need a vet visit for parasite check, shipping stresses them out and cause parasite prbolems.

 

[TortoiseAddict]

i no u hear things about the pet store but i bought mine from a pet store where the conditions aren't as great as they could be on purpose because you are rescuing one animal from bad treatment and WOAH hold up wild caught tortoises are 99 cents?! i got my tortoise for $100 dollars..... i guess she was captive bred

 

[KellyAF]

Wow, thanks for all your opinions.
I guess I will just have to let her know about each option, what she is supporting, and let her decide.
After all it is her decision. I have checked both CL and FC for her area with no luck.

 

[nharr2]

I found someone in Florida "Ben Siegels Reptiles" (off kingsnake.com) and he auctions off tortoises that are CB and also has some for sale on his website. I researched before I purchased from him and he seems to be a reputable reptile shop! Could find a good deal off his auctions too, I did!