Where to rescue Tortoises?

[sandy]

Originally Posted by example999

I have a Veterinary Nurse who specialises in Reptiles willing to help. I am dedicating my basement to the Torts and I have a few volunteers who are willing to look after the Torts when i am on Holiday and others who are willing to travel long distances to collect ( very thoughtful people around where I live).

Do you have a large outside space for tortoises?

[example999]

Not too big I am going to increase it when It gets starting but at the moment a 20 x 20 space.

[Pussygalore]

as I have said in your other thread the societys you mention are approached by owners who can't keep their torts any longer, they don't go out looking for free/unwanted animals. Also all their torts remain their property and they have the right to take back at any time, to be honest there really aren't that many animals being given away for free, even the badly shapen ones ect are always for sale and if approached the seller usually removes the advert. Many members have ended up buying a tort that needs 'rescueing' usually to keep it themselves or find another home for it but it can't be sold without the correct paperwork. Can i also add that many people will ask about a tort that is being given away but very few will be genuine and only after a freebie or a potential breeder (if its female) or to be able to sell it on.

[Merlin M]

Have you thought of a gumtree (or similar) ad saying you are interested in rehoming?

[example999]

Yes I have all those Sites for about 1 week now and nobody seems interested.
Thank you

[Merlin M]

With things like that I think it will take time and patience, people often sell rather than rehome, and if they do they will probably look to the more well known rehoming centres first... Not saying give up, just be patient with it... Also consider asking rehoming shelters if they need help fostering tortoises before they get rehomed?

[example999]

That sounds true just I'm one of those people who always want to be pro active. Problem is most of the centres are up North and that would be too much of an ordeal for a tort

[tortydat]

Did I read somewhere that you live in Devon? If so then the best thing IMO is to contact the Devon Tortoise Group as Jenny who runs the group is a great person and a very experienced tortoise keeper. I'm still going to say you need to try to be involved with one of the larger established groups such as BCG, TT or TPG if not the Devon one as you do need to have tortoises signed in and signed out otherwise it is a recipe for disaster. I know your intentions are good but personally I don't think you have thought it through and need experience of how others work. Your outside space is far too small for anything other than a couple and if they are males they will have to be kept separately. What about quarantine? I have nearly ten years experience of re-homing myself and currently have lots due to come in later this week and am off to the vets tonight with four! I have the backing of the BCG otherwise the costs would be prohibitive.
Mary

[ClareandCo]

Originally Posted by tortydat

Did I read somewhere that you live in Devon? If so then the best thing IMO is to contact the Devon Tortoise Group as Jenny who runs the group is a great person and a very experienced tortoise keeper. I'm still going to say you need to try to be involved with one of the larger established groups such as BCG, TT or TPG if not the Devon one as you do need to have tortoises signed in and signed out otherwise it is a recipe for disaster. I know your intentions are good but personally I don't think you have thought it through and need experience of how others work. Your outside space is far too small for anything other than a couple and if they are males they will have to be kept separately. What about quarantine? I have nearly ten years experience of re-homing myself and currently have lots due to come in later this week and am off to the vets tonight with four! I have the backing of the BCG otherwise the costs would be prohibitive.
Mary

No, the OP is in Hertfordshire.

[Suze65]

Hi, I would agree with everything that has been said, but having seen your reply, if you have experience keeping tortoises and have the space, time and support you will need to set up a tortoise sanctuary , then I would imagine all you need to do is advertise, or have a web site, get yourself known as a sanctuary for tortoises, and people will find you as they do other sanctuaries or societies. This is what the Cornwall tortoise sanctuary do, and the Winchester tortoise sanctuary. Have a look at their websites, but they don't rehome, they keep them. Hope this helps. One last thing, I don't think you can just take in Hermanns and Horsfield . All or nothing.

I would listen very carefully to what Mary has said, as she is very experienced in rehoming tortoises.