College....time to rehome?

HermannNamedSheldon

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Jun 17, 2015
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Ireland
Hi all,
I am looking for some advice. As of next September, I will be starting college, and it has raised concerns about my ability to keep caring for my tort.
The number one concern is providing an adequate enclosure. I will be moving into the city, thus an apartment, and given the expense of living in Dublin, I will have to share with others. This will restrict indoor space available for Shelly, and most likely mean having no outdoor space at all during term. Availability of the right foods is also a problem: currently I live in the countryside and can gather the right kind of food from the garden, but obviously I won't be able to do this in the city.
Apart from this, there is the fact that I will have to spend at least a year abroad as part of my degree, and I can't think of anyone whom I could ask to care for her in that time- plenty of people are willing, but certainly wouldn't be knowledgable, and ,in a number of cases, reliable enough that I would allow them to.

So, I am wondering if perhaps it's time to rehome her? There's a lot of uncertainty about what situation I'll be in after college (currently I am planning to join the army, which would also leave me unable to care for her, but that is not definite, and several years away).
I'm just not sure that I can care for her properly in the future, and think that perhaps she may be better off in a new home.
(She is a 9 year old Hermann, if this is of any relevance.)
Thanks in advance!
 

Yvonne G

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It certainly does sound like it's time for your tortoise to find a new home. I think that would be in the best interest of the tortoise.

One of our members here took a job overseas that was going to last a year. He asked if anyone on the forum would be interested in fostering his two redfooted tortoises for that length of time, and I took them in. At the end of the year, when he came back to the States, he found his circumstances no longer allowed for tortoises, and he asked if I would keep them.

You may find this to be true too. One never knows what's down the line in the future. It might be better all around if you could find a GOOD home for the tortoise, then later in life when you have the time and space, you can get another tortoise.
 

HermannNamedSheldon

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Jun 17, 2015
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Ireland
It certainly does sound like it's time for your tortoise to find a new home. I think that would be in the best interest of the tortoise.

One of our members here took a job overseas that was going to last a year. He asked if anyone on the forum would be interested in fostering his two redfooted tortoises for that length of time, and I took them in. At the end of the year, when he came back to the States, he found his circumstances no longer allowed for tortoises, and he asked if I would keep them.

You may find this to be true too. One never knows what's down the line in the future. It might be better all around if you could find a GOOD home for the tortoise, then later in life when you have the time and space, you can get another tortoise.

Many thanks for the advice Yvonne. Truth be told, I certainly feel it would be best for her, I think maybe I'm just struggling a bit with it because I've had her such a long time and become attached. I'll be sure to find her a good home with someone knowledgeable if I am rehoming her, and the same if simply fostering her.
 

Lyn W

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Jul 22, 2014
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Such a shame but probably best for your tortoise.
Are you in Dublin in Ireland?
I hope you find a good home for her.
 

Souptugo

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May 21, 2016
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That's too bad. I have a little Hermann as well. Love him to pieces. I'm wondering if there is a society where you live where there are people who already take care of many tortoises who you could contact. I would try to first see if you could rehome him to these people. I find those people who are passionate about caring for these animals will take good care of your tortoise as well. Since they probably have many under their care, perhaps you could even get him back later when you graduate and they probably would let you too! I would try my best if I were in your position to look for this.

I was searching and saw a website that could help you rehome him. You could start there to try and get some leads.

http://www.dspca.ie/TortoisesandTerrapins

Wishing you the best of luck.

James
 

HermannNamedSheldon

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Jun 17, 2015
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Ireland
I'm moving to Dublin, in Ireland (it being the capital city I didn't consider there might be places elsewhere named Dublin too). I vaguely remember hearing about a tortoise society, but I'll have to look them up.
There is also a very reputable shop in the city which has been around a long time, I may ask there if they know anyone who keeps Hermanns. (Reptile keeping isn't enormously popular here, and there are only two specialist shops in the country-they have a lot of regulars and know them well.)
Thank you for the advice guys.
 
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