World Turtle Day!

It's World Turtle Day!

"American Tortoise Rescue, a nonprofit organization established in 1990 for the protection of all species of tortoise and turtle, is sponsoring its 16th annual World Turtle Day. The day was created as an annual observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world.

Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson, founders of ATR, advocate humane treatment of all animals, including reptiles. Since 1990, ATR has placed about 3,000 tortoises and turtles in caring homes. ATR assists law enforcement when undersized or endangered turtles are confiscated and provides helpful information and referrals to persons with sick, neglected or abandoned turtles."

"American Tortoise Rescue's Tips:

-Never buy a turtle or tortoise from a pet shop

 as it increases demand from the wild.

-Never remove turtles or tortoises from 

the wild unless they are sick or injured.

-Emergency Care - If a tortoise is crossing a

 busy street, pick it up and send it in the

 same direction it was going- if you try to make

 it go back, it will turn right around again.

-Report the sale of any turtle or tortoise of any

 kind less than four inches. 

This is illegal throughout the U.S.

-Report the cruelty or illegal sales of turtles

 and tortoises to your local animal control shelter.

-Write letters to legislators asking them to keep sensitive habitat preserved or closed to off road vehicles, and to prevent off shore drilling that can lead to more endangered sea turtle deaths."

Click here to learn more about

 what you can do to help!