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CALIFORNIA TURTLE AND TORTOISE CLUB LOOKING FOR HOMES FOR RESCUED AND ORPHANED TURTLES
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Posted by p3msinc Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:54:55 PDT
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0 responses 0 comments Spring is on its way and so is the yearly influx of desert tortoises rescued by the Kern County Chapter of the California Turtle and Tortoise Club.

The club needs to find new homes for the dinner plate-sized adult desert tortoises and their quarter-sized babies that are turned in by animal control, humane societies, and owners who can no longer care for their pets. These desert tortoises cannot be released back into the wild.
 
Desert tortoises can make wonderful pets, but they do need special care. They do best when kept alone. Male tortoises will fight with each other and will pester any female tortoise unmercifully, leading to unnecessary stress. Because stressed tortoises are more susceptible to disease we are looking for responsible owners with large yards where a single desert tortoise can live and thrive.
 
Each year, Kern Chapter takes in 100 desert tortoises, so we are always looking for good homes. These tortoises are long-term pets of unknown origin and cannot be released back into the wild.

Potential tortoise adopters are encouraged to fill out an adoption application. Forms are available at the monthly meeting or can be downloaded from the club’s Web site at: www.kerncttc.org or: www.tortoise.org. All applicants are screened, and the tortoises placed in the best possible homes.
 
Club guidelines identify a good home for an adult desert tortoise as a large back yard that is fenced off so that the tortoise cannot dig out. The tortoise should be able to forage in the yard on grass and weeds. Swimming pools and ponds must be securely fenced off. Dogs must be kept out of the tortoise’s habitat.
 
Desert tortoises are California's official state reptile. Wild desert tortoises are protected under state and federal endangered species acts. It is illegal to collect desert tortoises from the wild or to release pets. Although it is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, legally-acquired captive tortoises can continue to be kept as pets as long as a free permit is obtained from the California Department of Fish and Game. The California Turtle and Tortoise Club works with the department to ensure that all adopted tortoises are properly permitted and tagged.
 
The Kern Chapter meets every third Tuesday at Rasmussen Senior Center, 115 E. Roberts Lane. The club was founded in 1964 and is dedicated to turtle and tortoise preservation, conservation, and study. The club has 12 chapters in southern and central California. For more information, visit the club’s Web site at: www.kerncttc.org or www.tortoise.org
 
If you would like more information on this topic, or to schedule an interview, call 391-8791 or e-mail: fokkerdon@bak.rr.com

Don Williams is the president of the Kern County Chapter of the California Turtle and Tortoise Club.

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