Don’t Shop – Adopt!
Dancing Turtle rescues, fosters, and rehomes red-eared sliders and other pet turtle species. We offer NO FEE ADOPTION and housing and feeding guidance.
Turtles are a long-term commitment, and many, especially red-eared sliders, are surrendered or abandoned by those unable to care for them. So many are surrendered that most shelters and rescues are full. Please consider adoption before you shop.
Dancing Turtle rescues, fosters, and rehomes red-eared sliders and other pet turtle species within New York’s Adirondack Park. We offer NO FEE ADOPTION and housing and feeding guidance.
Please see our adoptable turtles below.
Red-eared sliders are good-natured and enjoy human attention. If their care requirements are met, they tend to be healthy and long-lived. Even if you adopt an adult, you will enjoy many years of turtle antics and companionship.
To begin the adoption process, please download and read the care sheet and complete the adoption application.
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Foster a Turtle!
Do you have space in your home but can’t make a long-term commitment?
Would you like to learn more about caring for turtles?
An adoptable turtle would love a temporary home with you while we work on permanent placement. Just like dogs and cats, pet turtles benefit from the care and attention you can give. By fostering one of our adoptable turtles in your home, you are making space for another rescue in ours. Together we can keep lovely pets from become dumped ecosystem invaders.
Please contact us if you would like more information about fostering a turtle.
Surrendering your pet turtle
Red-eared slider turtles are the most surrendered reptile and, because they are frequently abandoned in non-native habitats, have become one of the world’s most invasive species. Few people purchase these turtles prepared for a long lifetime and the eventual large housing requirements. Rescues like Dancing Turtle receive many requests to take them in and space here is limited.
We will accept most legal (non-native) pet species of turtles from within New York’s Adirondack Park, if space and financial resources are available. If your turtle is sick or injured, we will ask you to make a reasonable additional donation towards veterinary care. If we do not have space, your turtle can be added to our website for potential direct adoption.
Please plan on donating your equipment, including the tank, filter, and lighting, with your turtle. This reduces transition stress for the turtle and the financial burden for potential adopters. If the tank and equipment is not needed by the adopter or is insufficient for the turtle’s size, it will be used for other rescues or rehabilitating wild turtles and lowers our future equipment costs.
Submitting the surrender request verifies that you agree to donate the described animal to Dancing Turtle Rescue. You understand and agree that the animal will become our property and you relinquish all rights to the animal permanently and without further recourse. You release Dancing Turtle from any claims, present or future, related to the disposition of the animal.
DO NOT RELEASE A PET TURTLE INTO THE WILD!
If you are outside of our area and emergency rehoming is necessary, please contact us and we will try to connect you with a rescue in your area. Your local Humane Society shelter may also be able to help.