We get it. Life happens, and giving turtles the right care can get expensive. And time consuming. And take up a lot of space.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your pet is admit you can’t do it anymore.
But don’t just release him!
He probably won’t survive. He may spread diseases to wild turtles (even if he’s not sick himself, and it has nothing to do with how clean you kept his habitat). And it’s probably illegal.
So what can you do?
Find him a new home, either with someone willing & able to care for him or at some sort of reptile sanctuary (yes, they exist!).
But first …
Are you sure?
Really, really sure? It can take time & effort to rehome a turtle. It would be best if you could figure out a way to keep her.
Is your situation temporary?
If you don’t have the money or the space or the time right now, do you think things will turn around soon? If so, do you have any family or friends willing to care for your pet until you’re able to again?
Can you move your pet outside?
At least for the spring through the fall? That could eliminate a lot of the problems. The sun can do a lot of the work for you. It provides heat & light (and UV!), So you don’t have to buy lamps & keep them running. Plus sunlight kills off a lot of bacteria, making your cleaning job easier.
Your pet may even be able to catch at least some of her own food, making feeding easier too! If you plant some edible plants for her it gets even easier. You’ll still need to make sure she always has fresh water. And if there aren’t enough bugs, slugs, worms, & plants you’ll still need to supplement feeding.
Of course, you’ll need yard space, and you’ll need to build the outdoor pen. So it won’t be an option for everyone.
Find a New Home Yourself
There are lots of turtle/tortoise forums where you can look for someone willing to take your pet.
But be careful. Many members of these groups are true turtle lovers & want what’s best for their turtles. But some people just want to exploit other members. They’ll offer to give your turtle a good home, but then they’ll turn around and sell it.
Many people also post on Craigslist, Facebook or other social media or ad sites.
Some pet stores allow community members to put flyers in their stores. So do some other businesses, libraries, or community centers.
Again, however you find interested people, be careful. Check out anyone who responds. Do your best to be sure they are who they say they are & they’ll really give your turtle a good home.
Shelters/Rescue Groups/Sanctuaries
You may also be able to surrender your pet to a group specializing in reptiles or other animals.
Now, in most cases you can’t just go to one of these places and drop off your pet. With one exception.
Open-admission shelters
The exception is open-admission shelters. Many cities have these, and they’re required to accept pretty much all animals brought to them.
But they’re really not the best option unless you really need to get rid of your boxie right away. These shelters are usually over-crowded and struggle to provide care for all the animals. And they’re really only set up for the more common pets like dogs & cats. Maybe rabbits.
But not box turtles. Or any turtles. Or any reptiles for that matter.
Rescue groups
Some rescue groups have facilities where they can keep surrendered turtles. Others have a network of fosters who can care for the turtles until a new home becomes available.
But even when they have these things, the facilities and/or foster homes are often full. So the best they can do may be to help you look for a new home while you keep caring for your box turtle.
Sanctuaries
Sanctuaries are generally also rescues, but they have facilities to give your pet a permanent home if necessary. They’ll often also try to find a suitable home for your pet, but are prepared to also care for it for life.
They may ask you to donate a small amount to help them cover (a tiny fraction of) the costs of taking in & caring for your pet.
Sanctuaries may also be full. The number of turtles/tortoises they can keep depends on the amount of space they have available.
Finding Help, by State
Here are some turtle/reptile rescues, sanctuaries & societies who may be able to help. When possible try to choose one near you, as they’ll be more likely to be able to help quickly.
Please note we have compiled this list from publicly available information. But we have not vetted the groups. We cannot make any guarantees about their business practices.
Also, other reptile societies & organizations do exist, but we have only listed those who will take in unwanted reptiles or will help owners rehome their pets (based on information available at the time we checked).
We do not have listings in all states. If there’s nothing listed for your state, check nearby states. Some organizations cover a wider area than others. Some offer help in multiple states. And at least one accepts animals from anywhere in the country.
Alabama – Hawaii (and anywhere)
Anywhere
Midgard Serpents Reptile Rescue & Sanctuary
Cameron, NC
Sadly, this rescue has closed. 😕
Alabama (AL)
No verified listings at this time
Alaska (AK)
No verified listings at this time
Arkansas (AR)
Little Rock, Arkansas
Willing to accept reptiles from anywhere in the country, as long as you can get the animal to them, and they’re not full.
Arizona (AZ)
Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary
A No-kill sanctuary in Phoenix that will either put your boxie up for adoption or keep it at the sanctuary for life.
Arrange to surrender your pet
Arizona Exotic Rescue Alliance
A group offering support to exotic animal rescue. It does not currently have a facility but will work with you to help you find a suitable option.
California (CA)
Bay Area Herpetological Society
Palo Alto, CA
This organization promotes education & conservation. It doesn’t directly rescue or adopt animals. But it does offer to connect potential adopters with people trying to rehome their pets.
Arrange to have your pet listed with BAHS
California Herpetological Association
Acton, CA
This non-profit rescues both reptiles & amphibians in need of new homes. Contact information for adoptions is here.
California Turtle & Tortoise Club
This all-volunteer organization has chapters all around southern and central California. It also publishes lots of care information for turtles & tortoises.
Each chapter handles adoptions for its area. Find information on the adoption program and contact info for the various chapters here.
Northern California Herpetological Society
Sacramento, CA
This non-profit organization promotes education & conservation along with rescue, rehab, & adoptions.
Find contact information for giving up your pet here.
San Diego Herpetological Society
SDHS provides education, rescue, and adoption of reptiles, amphibians, and even arachnids (spiders)!
Find information on relinquishing your pet here. Or on the SDHS Reptile Rescue Facebook page.
San Diego Turtle & Tortoise Society
One of the largest turtle & tortoise rescues in the US.
See how to relinquish your turtle to SDTTS here.
Southwestern Herpetologists Society
Van Nuys, CA
The Society has an adoptions program, although there’s not a lot of information on the website. It does look like adoption is only available to members, but it’s not clear if they’ll take surrenders from non-members too. There is contact information for their Adoption Chairman on the linked page.
Los Banos, CA
This rescue takes in any “creepy critter” that needs help (possibly only from the immediate area—that’s not clear). Fill out their contact form & someone will get back to you.
Lake Forest, CA
This organization’s main goal is finding new homes for exotic animals. According to the website, they accept exotics from all across the country.
Their contact email for relinquishing animals is at the bottom of this page.
Bay Area
Offers sanctuary for neglected, unwanted, & unadoptable animals of all kinds. It looks like it doesn’t accept animals directly from owners. But there’s a downloadable list of local rescues it works with on their contact page.
National Reptile Research & Rescue Society
San Diego
Its SOCAL Reptile Rescue and Foster Center will accept unwanted animals when it has space & resources to do so. Find requirements for giving up your pet and links to required forms here.
Sebastopol, CA
A rescue & sanctuary covering the Greater Bay Area. It’s not clear if they handle all reptiles, although it looks like they probably do. And if they can’t help you they may be able to direct you to someone who can.
Tortoise Acres Rescue & Sanctuary
Anderson, CA
Located in northern California, this sanctuary accepts animals from out of state too.
Contact information is on the homepage. Additional phone numbers & email on the Contact page.
Colorado (CO)
Colorado Herpetological Society
Although this is not a rescue or sanctuary, they are willing to try to help, either directly or by finding someone else who can help. Click on “Rescue & Removal” in the left menu to find the email to use.
Colorado Reptile Humane Society
Longmont, CO
If they have room they’ll accept your pet for rehoming. There is a small fee to help offset their costs.
Phone number and a link to a contact form are at the top of every page.
Connecticut (CT)
No verified listings at this time
Washington D. C.
No verified listings at this time
Delaware (DE)
No verified listings at this time
Florida (FL)
South Florida Herpetological Society
West Palm Beach
Will take most reptiles into foster care if a foster is available.
See their Rescue & Adoption page for more information on animals it can’t take and a short form to submit about your pet.
Reptile Rescue of Northeast Florida
Will also take most reptiles, excepting those it does not have permits to keep. Your pet will either have a home with the rescue or be adopted out to good homes.
Rescue information is on the home page, and contact email is at the bottom of the page.
Georgia (GA)
Offers pets first to members of the society. If no members can take it then it’ll be listed for adoption by the general public.
Find a form to fill out here.
Reptile, Amphibian & Invertebrate Sanctuary & Educational Services (RAISES)
Depending on the situation the Sanctuary may take your pet & care for it either permanently or until it can find a new home. Or they may help you find your pet a new home while you keep caring for it.
Read more about surrendering your pet to the sanctuary here.
Find their contact email here.
Hawaii (HI)
No verified listings at this time
Iowa – Missouri
Iowa (IA)
No verified listings at this time
Idaho (ID)
May be able to help place your pet. Find contact information here.
Find their Facebook page here.
Rescued animals go into foster care until they can find permanent homes. Animals considered unadoptable get permanent homes & lifelong care.
Find a contact form here.
Illinois (IL)
Friends of Scales Reptile Rescue
Wheeling, IL
A foster-based, all-volunteer rescue that accepts (almost) all reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. It looks like it covers all of the Midwest.
To give up your pet fill out the Relinquishment Form. Or if you have questions first, their email is at the bottom of the About page.
Chicago Herpetological Society
Appears to offer owner surrendered pets to its members for adoption. (Does not take iguanas or red-eared sliders). Find contact information for the Adoptions Chairperson here.
The Society also has a public Facebook group.
Indiana (IN)
Tri-State Herpetological Society
Southern Indiana
Accepts surrendered animals & does their best to find new homes. Animals for adoption get listed on the site.
Use their contact form to let them know about the pet you need to rehome.
The Society also has a Facebook page
This organization works to conserve and rescue turtles & tortoises, and to help turtle owners with any questions they may have. The owner is also a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in Indiana.
There’s also an Indiana Turtle Care public Facebook group.
Bloomington, IN
If space is available will take in most reptiles needing a new home. Use the contact form to see if they can help.
Kansas (KS)
No verified listings at this time
Kentucky (KY)
Kentucky Herpetological Society
The society is generally willing to take pet reptiles you can no longer care for. Contact information is here. Rescue coordinators are volunteers, so be patient if you don’t get a reply right away.
Louisiana (LA)
Louisiana Exotic Animal Resource Network
Elm Grove, LA
Depending on the situation will try to either take your pet into their care or help you find a new home while you continue to care for it. Check out their Surrenders page to see how they can help and the information they need from you so they can do the best job possible to help.
You can also contact them on their Facebook page.
Massachusetts (MA)
New England Herpetological Society
Boston, MA
Will take in animals in need of rehoming & adopt them out. Find more information and contact email here.
A native turtle rescue in central MA.They’re willing to work with turtle parents to figure out how you can keep your turtle or find a new home for it. In most cases they won’t be able to take your turtle while looking for a home.
Maryland (MD)
Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society
A rescue organization in Baltimore. They accept unwanted pet turtles when they have space. If they can’t take your pet they’ll help you figure out if there’s a way you can keep it or offer other options for rehoming.
Maine (ME)
No verified listings at this time
Michigan (MI)
No verified listings at this time
Minnesota (MN)
Minnesota Herpetological Society
Has a surrender and adoption program. It generally only accepts animals one day each month. The dates for the year and directions for pre-registering your pet for drop-off are on the adoption program page.
Missouri (MO)
KCHS Reptile Rescue & Adoption
This is the Facebook page for the Kansas City Herpetological Society’s rescue & rehoming efforts. You may have to keep your pet while they look for a loving new home.
Contact information is on their About page.
Mississippi – Ohio
Mississippi (MS)
No verified listings at this time
Montana (MT)
No verified listings at this time
North Carolina (NC)
CCSB Reptile Rescue & Adoption Center
Accepts unwanted reptiles from anywhere within the state and nearby states. For surrendering a pet, use the email listed here.
This rescue takes in and rehomes all kinds of reptiles and also rehabs wild reptiles. It operates in and around New Hanover, Pender, and Brunswick counties.
Midgard Serpents Reptile Rescue & Sanctuary
Cameron, NC
Sadly, this open-access rescue has closed. 😕
North Dakota (ND)
No verified listings at this time
Nebraska (NE)
No verified listings at this time
New Hampshire (NH)
No verified listings at this time
New Jersey (NJ)
Scales & Tails Exotic Pet Rescue
They can’t take most reptiles into care but will help you find a new home. Find more information here.
Snakes-n-Scales Reptile Rescue
Rescues unwanted pets from around the state. Rescue information is right on the home page.
New Mexico (NM)
Rio Grande Turtle & Tortoise Club
The club does have an adoption program, but as of this writing can’t accept any turtles into foster care. It is recommending bringing your pet to the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department if you can’t find it a home on your own.
New York (NY)
No verified listings at this time.
Nevada (NV)
It’s not actually clear if this club still exists. Its entire web presence is a single page. The club was formed to help re-locate desert tortoises in danger from development. It will also help re-home any turtles/tortoises in need.
Ohio (OH)
No verified listings at this time
Oklahoma – Wyoming
Oklahoma (OK)
No verified listings at this time
Oregon (OR)
No verified listings at this time
Pennsylvania (PA)
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
This rescue in Amish country, Pennsylvania gives reptiles a home when it can. Sometimes permanently, sometimes temporarily while it looks for a good permanent home.
But it’s a small rescue, so it can’t take in every animal, even temporarily. However, it will help you figure out a solution. Scroll down their Rescue page for more information.
Their email address is [email protected].
There’s also a Facebook page where they welcome your posts about your pet.
Lehigh Valley Herpetological Society
The Society offers an adoption listing on its website, but there were no animals listed when we visited. It also offers to act as a go-between with potential adopters (for a small fee). It’s not clear if this service is only for members.
Additional contact information is here.
Located in the Pittsburgh area, Nate’s cares for unwanted reptiles until they can find a good home. They do require a donation to help with care of your animal (unless you absolutely can’t afford it).
Get more information, and a surrender form, on the Contact page.
The Awesome Spirit of Wildlife, Inc. (TASOW)
This organization takes in unwanted exotics, cares for them, and uses their stories to help teach others.
Use the contact form to find out if they can help you.
Rhode Island (RI)
No verified listings at this time
South Carolina (SC)
Turtle & Tortoise Society of Charleston, SC
The Society does accept turtles from people who can no longer keep them and adopts them out. The Adoptions link (in the left-hand menu) explains its adoption program, but it doesn’t include surrender information. The Contact Us link includes phone, email, and mailing address.
South Dakota (SD)
No verified listings at this time
Tennessee (TN)
Ark R.A.I.N. Wildlife Sanctuary
This organization rescues pretty much any exotic animal in need. It’ll give them a permanent home or find other organizations that can take them.
Contact information is near the bottom of the home page.
Texas (TX)
Nature’s Edge Wildlife and Reptile Rescue
A wildlife rehab group in Fort Worth. The group also rescues unwanted pet reptiles and amphibians.
Visit their Facebook About page for more information and contact info.
South Texas Amphibian & Reptile Society
The society offers a free rescue & surrender service. Whether you have an unwanted visitor or a pet you can’t keep, the Society’s Reptile Rescue committee will come get it. Then they’ll either relocate it or find it a new home where it will get proper care.
Find contact information on their Reptile Rescue & Surrender page.
Joshua Tortoise Rescue of Houston
This sanctuary takes in tortoises in need of new homes and gives them a permanent one. It looks like there’s at least one boxie in residence as of this writing.
Utah (UT)
No verified listings at this time
Virginia (VA)
Box Turtle Sanctuary of Central Virginia
A former horse farm turned box turtle sanctuary. ❤️ It looks like it may only take in Eastern box turtles from Virginia (that’s not completely clear). But if she can’t take your pet, Shelley is usually willing to help you find someone near you who can.
Fill out the Turtle Intake/Surrender form to get started.
Located in Fairfield, VA, this rescue will accept any reptile or amphibian with no questions asked (as long as they have space for the animal).
Submit the form to start the surrender process.
Contact information (phone & email).
If you prefer, you can message them on their Facebook page too.
Vermont (VT)
No verified listings at this time
Washington (WA)
Pacific Northwest Herpetological Society
Accepts unwanted pets based on available foster homes to care for them. As of this writing the website states they’re not taking in any box turtles because they don’t have any available fosters. But it can’t hurt to double-check with them, since websites may or may not get updated quickly.
The surrender form is here. (Although we’d call first to ask about their ability to take a box turtle).
They also have a Facebook page.
Wisconsin (WI)
Madison Area Herpetological Society
Accepts pet reptiles and amphibians their owners can no longer keep, space allowing. It does require a fee to take your pet. If MAHS can’t take your pet it may be able to help you find someplace that can.
Find more information and a link to the surrender form on the adoptions page.
The Society also has a Facebook page.
West Virginia (WV)
No verified listings at this time
Wyoming (WY)
No verified listings at this time