Find a Void in your Community and Fill It!

It’s really that simple.  Here’s our story…

What can you tell me about the history of Turtle Talk Rescue and how the rescue operation began?   “Find a void in your community and fill it”.  That has always been my “mind set”. What I didn’t realize at the time was that the “void” would find me first.  Work began when I started volunteering at our local animal shelter. 

One day, a stray box turtle was dropped off at the shelter. His shell was damaged with chew marks and old wounds.  He had probably been on his own for a while, and managed to escape some hazardous situations.   Since our shelter only adopted out cats, dogs and a few small animals, I volunteered to take the little one and care for him.  As you open your home, the Universe has a way of filling the need, and we were no exception as more turtles and tortoises started showing up at our door.

With these new arrivals, we sectioned off our yard into large garden boxes filled with grass, terra cotta bowls of water and hide boxes for the summer months. As more came in, our yard began to fill up. 

 With winter coming on quickly, my husband Scott went to work building indoor enclosures. With the weather dropping below 60 degrees, we moved everyone inside the warm turtle room full of large tanks, horse troughs and small swimming pools to wait out the first winter. 

That next spring, the animal shelter contacted us about a young African Spurred Tortoise that was found wondering the streets of Boise.  The moment I met young “Nemo”, I quickly recalibrated my lifes compass. 

Having a passion for turtles/tortoises since childhood, I soon discovered the need in our community and the void in my own life.  Animals that once were simply released to fend for themselves, were now finding homes with caring families.  Over the next 5 years I sought out like minded people with a passion for these amazing animals.  We met the need of our community and surrounding area. But with the influx of “live sales” on the internet, the need grew at a rapid pace.  Larger animals were coming into the rescue, which required much more room than our home could provide. 

We had to make a decision whether to begin to turn away unwanted/abandoned animals, or take our commitment to the next level where we could meet the needs of these animals that basically had no place to go.  During a family and volunteer meeting of caretakers, the choice was unanimous, and the vision was born.  In January of 2007, Turtle Talk Rescue became a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, declaring our commitment to the animals that we will not abandon them.    

How many rescues do you take in a year?  Every year, we take in 50-60 abandoned, injured, and unwanted turtles and tortoises from around the Northwest.

How do most of your rescues find their way to your shelter?  Turtle Talk Rescue has become a vital resource for the community.  Networking with other organizations, and community involvement is the key to making our work so successful.  Most of our calls are referrals from this network. We work closely with the Idaho Herpetological Society, the Idaho Humane Society, Animals in Distress, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and other local rescue organizations to ensure the safety and well being of the turtles and tortoises in our area.  

One time an injured native western painted turtle was found on Whitebird Hill in Northern Idaho.  A concerned person caught the wounded animal with a huge hole in his shell and took him 82 miles to a wildlife rescue in McCall Idaho.  Snowdon Wildlife Sanctuary contacted the Department of Fish and Game who transported the little turtle another 100 miles to Turtle Talk Rescue in Boise, Idaho.  The turtle now known as “Whitebird” was treated by Dr. Koob at the Idaho Humane Society Veterinary Clinic.  “Whitebird” returned to Turtle Talk Rescue for months of recuperation through the winter.  In the springtime, “Whitebird” was well, and ready to be turned over to a local wildlife organization called “Animals in Distress” who released the little celebrity into their private pond.  This was an incredible effort by many caring people for the life of a little one.

What makes your rescue different?  Turtle Talk Rescue, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to the care of abandoned, injured and unwanted turtles and tortoises in our area. Since its unofficial beginnings in 2001, Turtle Talk Rescue has taken in hundreds of turtles and tortoises, providing them with food, shelter and much needed medical care. Once they are ready for adoption, we help these animals find permanent homes with caring families in our community.

The “biggest surprise” was when the "African Spurred Tortoises" began showing up on our doorstep. These are the latest “throw away pets”.  Sold as adorable hatchlings the size of silver dollars, these little ones grow very quickly, sometimes doubling in size each year. The "African Spurred Tortoise" or "Sulcata" can grow over 200 lbs and live up to 100 years. They are the third largest tortoises in the world dwarfed only in size by the second largest Aldabra Tortoise, and the largest land tortoise being the Galapagos.

Most of these animals have been brought into our area through the internet, and then apparently abandoned when they become too large or too time consuming to care for. Outgrowing their cages and their welcome, a number of animals are found wondering the streets, whether escaped, abandoned or deliberately released, the results are the same. They are from a hot desert climate and will not survive the harsh cold Idaho winter.
Turtle Talk Rescue has become a safe haven for these tortoises. These animals have become ambassadors to educate young people about "responsible pet ownership" through hands-on interaction with the animals. We take our message to schools, daycares, summer camps and animal venues teaching young people how to be responsible guardians of these amazing creatures. We believe that with education, our next generation can stop this cycle of unwanted and abandoned pets, making better choices and long term commitments.

Where does your funding come from?  Donations from the community provide food, shelter and medical care for the unwanted Turtles and Tortoises.  We are always grateful to generous donors that send us gifts through PayPal on our website at:  www.turtletalkrescue.com

Our organization consists of an all Volunteer team who give their time and money to care for these amazing animals.

What else is needed for your shelter to run?  As more and more of the large African Spurred Tortoises find their way to our rescue, we are in dire need of additional space.  These tortoises do not hibernate in the winter, and must be kept indoors at a constant 80 degrees to be healthy and warm.

Turtle Talk Rescue is in immediate need of more winter space, and seeking the following donations:

1 - New or used Pacific Domes, Yurts or portable shelters of any size.

2- Access to land in the Boise area where we can set up portable enclosures for the Turtles and Tortoises as well as a caretaker’s quarters. 

3 - We would also consider the use of a secure insulated barn or building for the animals this winter.

4- Cash donations through PayPal for Fresh Vegetables and Medical Care.  Any help would be appreciated.

We are a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, so any donation is tax deductible.

 

What’s your favorite success story?  As a turtle, would you dream of warm water all year round, fresh tilapia everyday and freedom to swim and swim in the same direction?  Well that is what awaited 10 lucky water turtles as they headed for their new home in a secure private pond over 50 miles outside of  Boise.  The Turtle Talk Transport Team left Boise bound for “Paradise” on Memorial week-end.  Opportunities like this are extremely rare and the Team was filled with hope and anticipation as they headed for the private pond.  If this venture turned out to be a success, then by the end of the day these little lives would be living the dream.  Arriving at their destination, it didn’t take long for the Team to realize this was a turtle haven.  At that, the Team went to work. Through huge smiles and a few tears, one by one each little one was released.  Reactions varied with personality.  Some hesitated, even looking back at their releaser in disbelief, some quickly disappeared not popping up until they got to the middle of the three quarter acre pond, and others hung close just watching in wonder.  We stayed on the bank for awhile; no one seemed to want to leave.  With a heavy sigh, Brett expressed that he wasn’t leaving till he saw his favorite “Bell”, a large yellow bellied slider who came to the rescue when her family moved to Alaska. She had probably never seen so much water in her life. Just then Bell popped up 25 feet away from Brett and looked straight at him.  OK…tears filled my eyes too.  Bye little girl…you’re finally home.

  Thanks to Tom and his family for giving these little ones the freedom to be real turtles.  Kindness to the little ones will come full circle to you and yours.

Turtle Talk Rescue, Inc.

Boise, Idaho

turtletalkrescue@msn.com

Website:  turtletalkrescue.com

Turtle Talk Rescue, Inc. cares for abandoned, injured and unwanted turtles and tortoises providing them with immediate care and medical attention.  Many "Special Needs" animals find their way to our rescue.  We have been very fortunate to have Dr. Koob with the “Idaho Humane Society”, and Dr. Wiggins with the “Idaho Herpetological Society” caring for our animals.  

Remember...Animals are not a commodity, they’re our Teachers...listen.

Thanks for caring about the animals in our community.

Sandra Williams  Founder/President 

Turtle Talk Rescue, Inc.