something that drives me absolutely nuts...

[Turtle Matt]

Why exactly is it that soooooooo many people ALWAYS want to ADOPT tortoises only????? It's so stupid,people dont just give away free tortoises all the time (once in awhile,but not always). People that put posts up looking for tortoises to adopt annoy me. If you're too cheap to buy a tortoise,you shouldnt have one. Im glad most of them are so expensive so stupid people won't purchase them as the price leads them away.
Just my insight, feel free to put your input.
Matt

[jncoclub]

As the devil's advocate:
Realizing that they are so expensive, people tend to give them away- therefore filling the request for someone else to get them for free.

[eyespy]

So many tortoises end up being dumped after they grow too big or develop health problems that there are always "free" torts available to those who truly want one and will take the time to learn proper husbandry. Most cheap folks walk away when they realize that the free tortoise will cost them $XX for housing, feeding, and meds and of course many rescues charge adoption fees.

I'm afraid that things will really get bad for sulcatas because they are popular and fairly cheap in the pet trade right now and most folks cannot house them properly once they get big.

[Tim and Julie B]

The problem is most people do not realize the commitment involved with a tortoise or turtle for that matter. Their long life span, size, room needed etc. It is sad reality but there are people willing to take them in. When I finally get my own house I will take some more in also. Some people don't like to buy large torts to support the market but they are willing to take unwanteds to give them a better home. The same thing can be said about Savannah monitors. It is like adopting a cat or a dog, ferret, rat, hampster, fish excetra there are too many people willing to toss them. It is better to have adoptions then for some idiot to try and release one or use the freezer approach. I have heard of some "reputable" reptile people take that approach. Adoption is a good alternative. It provides a home for unwanted herps. It is not because these people are to cheap (maybe some are) but because they are providing a service. Besides you don't have to be rich enough to buy one to provide it with a good home. I just wish people would not impulse buy. Especally with larger species. Tim.

[Turtle Matt]

That all makes sence,I can obviously understand why someone would adopt one if the chance arose, but just the people that go on a site and put stuff like "looking to adopt a baby sulcata" and puts a bunch of specifics on what they are looking for.
Matt

[Tim and Julie B]

That does sound odd. Why a baby? And specifics for a freebe doesn't make sence either.

[wyz]

wouhh spooky !

I had the same tought today reading calssifieds.. but not specifically for turtle..

My pet-peeve was reading things like " we are broke and would like to offer a reptile to out little daughter for her birthday"..

If you can't afford the animal, hom is it going to be fed ??

WYZ

[Emily-Fisher]

Good point, Wyz. A month's worth of food often costs more than the animal itself!! People just don't think that way. They think of free, easy, and free.

[eyespy]

Good bloody luck to cheapsters trying to find a baby tortoise. Not many people breed most species of tortoises and wild caughts are usually adults. Plus it's still illegal to sell a chelonian under 4 inches in the US so any babies have to be acquired illegally unless the animal was sold to educators or scientists.

No reputable US based rescue is going to adopt out a baby tortoise to somebody just looking for a free animal. It seems that many of the international turtle and tortoise rescues are following those standards with first-time adopters as well.

[turtle]

I hear you Matt. I have been getting at least a couple requests a month from people wanting to adopt baby tortoises. And when I tell them I only have red-ear sliders needing homes they get attitude.

Angie
Turtle Haven Rescue

[eyespy]

Maybe with that attitude it will turn them away from trying to get something for nothing. Those are exactly the sort of person that shouldn't own a reptile.

Perhaps a Chia Pet or a Pet Rock?

[donskelly]

Along the same lines. I recently started a search for a female mate for my sulcata. I did not search very hard for adoptions as one or two glances showed only people willing to adopt and no tortoises willing to be adopted. We hear so much about large sulcatas being abandoned that I thought it would really be an easy search. Big suprise!! Almost no female sulcatas for sale. The few (3-4) that I found after hours of searching were in the 650-1000 US dollar range. I own and breed a good variety of tortoises and my sulcata has the most outstanding personality of them all. I don't think you could find a sulcata to adopt to save your life. Or any other tortoise for that matter. It takes me an average of1-2 years to buy a pair of tortoises. The myth of tortoises outgrowing their owners is just that. A myth. donskelly

[Turtle Matt]

Thank you guys...I was refraining to check this message thinking everyone would disagree heeh...You've done just the opposite.
Matt

Right now I have a large breeder red-ear(10X7 top shell and nasty attitude to boot) to get rid of but I would not give it away, someone is apt to better care for an animal they invested their money in.

[eyespy]

I think you are about 1500% correct on that one, Rev!