Until further notice, we are UNABLE TO ACCEPT any turtles or tortoises for foster care. But please do not think of releasing your pet into the wild as a solution. It isn’t. Not only is such a release illegal, but there is a high probability the animal will not survive. Box turtles in particular are extremely poor at adapting to new wild places where they must fend for themselves. No matter how “perfect” the new habitat seems, to the turtle the place is a “big unknown” and scary; released box turtles are highly stressed, often eat and drink little and fail to thrive if exposure to the elements, predators, or a vehicle strike doesn’t kill them first.

There are no species of tortoise native to New Mexico, and no species of Box Turtle native to the Albuquerque/Rio Rancho/Corrales area; any found wandering around are released or escaped pets, and they cannot survive on their own. If you find a turtle walking down the road here but do not want to own it, consider keeping the animal at least temporarily while you search for someone to adopt it.  Join us on Facebook and we can give you advice on how care for the animal. At the same time, you can advertise to our wide audience the animal’s availability for re-homing.   

Unwanted and abandoned turtles and tortoises are accepted at the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department, 8920 Lomas Blvd, 87112, 505-768-2000.  They are closed Mondays.  Some pet shops  accept some species of turtles and tortoises for re-homing (sale).