Abandoned Turtles A Growing Burden for Local Reptile Rescue

Spenard pet supply shop rescues dozens of cast-off turtles a year

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By Lauren Maxwell
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Story Created: Mar 18, 2013 at 7:47 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Mar 20, 2013 at 6:23 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - An animal rescue group in Anchorage says it’s being overrun by turtles that people don’t want. The Alaska Cricket Ranch in Spenard doubles as the Wild Things Reptile Rescue. Director Dianna Smith said they are full to the brim with turtles.

“We get over 30 turtles a year at the shelter and I’m sure there are lots of other people that are rescuing [them],” said Smith. “It’s just really sad, what’s happening to such a beautiful creature.”

Smith said most people don’t realize how quickly a baby turtle can grow, and how large it can get in a short period of time. Pretty soon, the tank that people have invested in is far too small.

Adult turtles like the Red Slider—the most common kind the shelter receives—require a 55-gallon tank with a strong filter, special lights, and a dry dock. Smith said the set-up could run as much as $500, and many people aren’t willing to invest once their baby turtle turns big.

Smith said people don’t realize that a turtle is a commitment that can last a long time, since turtles often live to age 50 and beyond. She said the shelter is at capacity with unwanted turtles that started off as pets. She would like to find homes for them, but said it may be more realistic to send them outside.

Turtles can’t survive in the wild in Alaska, so setting them free here is not an option. But a Missouri woman with a large private pond has offered to take them all. Smith said she is raising funds to try and send dozens of the turtles to Missouri.

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Audrey said on Saturday, Apr 27 at 3:23 PM

Although many people may feel a child's pond is an adequate for housing a turtle, many of those ponds are treated with chemicals not good for a turtle, you will still need a good filtration unless you want to be dumping the pool out everyday inside your house. Turtles cannot be kept outside in Alaska if nighttime temps get down below 70 degrees or they get sick. Also you will need a UVB light to stimulate a turtles appetite, not just a spotlight.

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Monado said on Tuesday, Mar 19 at 2:28 AM

Turtles will also be happy in a child's plastic pool with a good, dry basking area. Then you don't need a filter because you can dump the pool and refill it. Shine a warm lamp onto the dry area to keep the turtles warm enough to get hungry orthey can starve from lack of appetite.

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