Looking after 'lost tortoise' please help

[yuna1971]

This makes me sad to read....
Be very sure before handing him over....(I know that you will). Name, when did they lose him. Perhaps see his viv. Would he have any paperwork as Finn says, he SHOULD? Proof that it is his? I think he should have no problem with this, and should be relieved that someone would ask this (in case it happens again) and for this 'owner's own peice of mind.
I just dont know...like you, sceptical Farley, I guess. xx
Farley - if this IS the owner. Maybe just mention about a tortoise table, and share with him the things you have learnt on here. IF its him, he might also be glad of the advice and help. Also share things about diet etc. xx (IF it is the rightful owner).

[FarleyMarley]

Originally Posted by FinnGB

Ask him if he has the article 10 certificate (if Horsfields require one, im not certain on that).

Sounds like you should get a tortoise yourself once you get all the kit sorted

I think Horsfields come under Annex B which dont need a certificate.

I really wish I could get myself one, however I just dont have the money to do that, couldnt even buy the tortoise

Weve had our leopard gecko coming up four years, so will just have to have her.

[Bindi]

Originally Posted by FinnGB

Ask him if he has the article 10 certificate (if Horsfields require one, im not certain on that).

Sounds like you should get a tortoise yourself once you get all the kit sorted

'fraid Horsfields don't require Art 10s

[WriterNick]

Originally Posted by FinnGB

Ask him if he has the article 10 certificate (if Horsfields require one, im not certain on that).

Sounds like you should get a tortoise yourself once you get all the kit sorted

Horsfield's don't need an article 10 certificate I'm afraid so he might not have any official proof of ownership

[yuna1971]

I didnt know this....are there some breeds that dont need this then, Nick? I thought this was iron clad, that the Article 10 is for all torts. Why would horsefields be separate from this?? Dont get it....xx

[WriterNick]

Hi Rach, yes Horsfield's aren't covered by CITES as they aren't classed as an endangered species so they don't have article 10 certificates. There are some other species of torts that are exempt as well but I'm not sure which they are (although I think that Sulcatas may be one)!

[yuna1971]

I see.....so any Joe Bloggs could claim this little guy is theirs?? Sad.

[FarleyMarley]

For some reason my posts go to be moderated before they appear but Im a real animal lover and this isnt the first time this has happened to me either, Ive always had birds/dogs and reptiles so perhaps I should rename myself Dr Doolittle lol

http://www.braintreeandwithamtimes.c...ds_reclaiming/

Ps Ive moved house three times since I lived in Braintree so Im not worried about my phone number etc on there, it no longer exists and I live over 300 miles away now lol The Barn Owl was one half of a breeding pair of egyptian barn owls and was reunited with his 'wife' not long after!

From my reading:
Hermann tortoise
Spur-thighed tortoise
Marginated tortoise
DO need Certificates

Horsfield tortoise
Leopard tortoise
Sulcata tortoise
Indian star tortoise
Red footed tortoise
DONT need Certificates.

[Bindi]

Your first 5 posts are moderated here on SW, after that you should be able to see your posts straight away

[FarleyMarley]

The final sad update is that he has gone to "home" to someone who hasnt got a clue.

I can see his owners house from my upstairs bedrooms, considering that he wanted to collect him at 5pm, from 4-5pm he was sitting sunbathing in his garden. Obviously wanting to get his tortoise back then.

He arrived at my door and said 'You got my tortoise then?' I replied with as I had to register him found with the police station that they had asked me to get proof of ownership before letting the tortoise go. With that he started to get rather shirty and said that why on earth had I registered him found anywhere. He was also annoyed with the person that found him, hawking him all over the estate asking everyone. He said that the tortoise always dug under that hole in the fence, this was his 5th one, all the others had escaped or died.

I said that he could only have the tortoise back if he could describe him, and he did actually describe him well, even down to the divided part in one of his shell pyramids. That and his size, which had not been mentioned anywhere at all, so Im sure that he does belong to this man.

So I went and got the tortoise, and said that he had had a long bath, as he was cold when I got him, he had been under a heatlamp and had leaves dusted in nutrobal and had drunk some water. I said that even though Ive had reptiles a while I took some specialist tortoise advice from the internet to make sure he was ok (thankyou ). He said oh well Im not into that sort of rubbish.

He then said.......well he wont be getting all that fuss at home, I feed him on dry dog food and lettuce He's got a house in the garden and a fish tank in the lounge to live in. He then took him out of my hands and walked off. I didnt even get a thankyou

I know feel awful that I let this little tortoise go off with someone who hasnt got any idea at all (at least I have some idea where reptiles are concerned). Anyone got a little tortoise up for adoption? I was quite smitten with the little chap.