Adopt a Teaching Turtle

Symbolically adopt a turtle, by sponsoring their care through a donation. Click on their names to learn more!

Our native turtles have been brought to us because they cannot survive in the wild; and without adoption, they would face euthanasia.

Some animals in our care were saved and treated at the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre; having suffered injuries from automobile strikes, boat accidents, or having injuries from predators. These sentient beings can no longer walk, swim, dig, or hibernate properly in the wild, and yet they demonstrated that they each had a resilient spirit and therefore they were not euthanized. Other animals were taken out of the wild illegally as pets, and then surrendered to government officials who contacted us to adopt them. It is often the case that animals taken away from home territories when they are older cannot be simply released anywhere in the wild if they are to survive. Also, in Ontario, it is illegal to release an animal without a known point of origin.

It is important to us that our animals are happy; We provide them with daily enrichment outside of their enclosures and monitor their "emotionality" to ensure they are content (have their necks out and are eager to eat and explore).

How we care for our turtles

Our native turtles are kept under special permits. It is illegal to keep native Ontario turtles as a pet without permission.

Note: Our wildlife permits dictate how we care for these animals: For instance, each turtle, including snapping turtles, live in tanks which size are regulated by these licenses to ensure they feel comfortable; the types of daily enrichments such as walks, physiotherapy for the disabled turtles; uv exposure, and food/nutrition are also included in our protocols and approvals. Other aspects that are regulated and approved under our permits include even the way in which the turtles are transported to events and the length of time they are exposed to people and "uncomfortable situations" - These are all considerations.

Although we would love to go beyond the requirements of our permits, and therefore, for our Teaching Turtles to each have tanks the size of hot tubs or swimming pools, and also to have large indoor spaces for the turtles to roam, our capacity at this time does not allow for these. However, we are in constant search of an ideal facility! If you have any leads on other rental options and facilities, please get in touch with Leora at info@turtleguardians.ca