Learn About American Tortoise Rescue
American Tortoise Rescue (ATR) is an international nonprofit founded in 1990 to provide for the protection of all species of tortoise and turtle. We help find forever homes for those in good health. We offer permanent sanctuary to abandoned and lost tortoises too ill or deformed to be rehomed. ATR has saved and rehomed more than 3,000 turtles and tortoises since it was founded. Take a tour here: http://bit.ly/1buBtcD .
Calls come from private individuals, shelters, Fish & Wildlife, Department of Health Services, US Park Service, schools and so on. Many of the turtles and tortoises are injured or ill. Problems range from dog bites, amputations, upper respiratory infections, shell rot, starvation, stress, failure to thrive, run over by cars, parasites, worms, predator attacks and other medical problems like liver and kidney diseases. Many of the conditions are caused by owners or ignorant individuals. Some are cruelty cases.
American Tortoise Rescue acts as a national clearinghouse for information about the care, feeding and rehabilitation of endangered and captive bred tortoises. In addition, ATR is an advocacy group working to abolish “live market” slaughter of turtles, the illegal sale of hatchlings or any turtle under four inches by vendors, the cruel importation and exportation of a variety of species and protection of the desert tortoise from collectors, off-road vehicles and land grabs by large companies and the military. Currently we are working to stop the sale of illegal hatchling turtles in mercados, at swap meets and fairs, as well as in pet stores. Our undercover video shows very dramatic footage of our work http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdkhl1TKJc4
Because turtles are not warm and fuzzy, they are often way down on the list for donations, yet veterinary bills, food and housing are very expensive. Donations are gratefully accepted. To make a donation or formore information, contact ATR online at www.tortoise.com or email us at info@tortoise.com. Follow us at www.facebook.com/americantortoiserescue and on twitter @tortoiserescue.
In the year 2000, American Tortoise Rescue launched World Turtle Day, celebrated every year on May 23rd. Its purpose is to educate the world’s peoples about why saving turtles and tortoises from extinction is critical. This observance is now celebrated in virtually every country in the world and has more than 92 million results on google. More information is at Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Tortoise_Rescue.
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