“Turtles need rescuing?” “Yes, unfortunately,” is always the answer.

Just like any other captive animal, humans have an incredible ability to mistreat them. Turtles and tortoises are not ‘throw away’ pets. Northwest Tortoise invests extensive time vetting potential owners. If you are looking for a quick transaction and expect to fill out a form and get immediate approval its recommend you look elsewhere.

If you’ve done your research and you are ready for a shelled pet for life apply here!

View Adoption Policies
Learn How To Adopt

A note on determining age: Unless there is a hatch date for a turtle/tortoise there is no reliable way to determine age. Age cannot be reliably determined by size, rings on the shell, damage on the shell or any other speculative methods. The following ages are an educated guess based on information from the previous owner and 25 years of experience working with turtles/tortoises.

Interested in adopting? How much space do I need?

Enclosure Size Guidelines

  • Brandi

    Read more
    Brandi
    Brandi  3-Toed Box Turtle Female, less than 1 pound, young adult, Brandi came from the pet trade and could be wild-caught. She gets the award for world’s shyest box turtle. I’ve had her almost two years and she’s still not comfortable. She eats great but prefers to spend her time buried. She’ll take a patient soul to break through! $50 adoption fee

  • Bumper

    Read more
    Bumper
    Bumper 3-Toed Box Turtle Male, 12 oz, confirmed 16 years old but possibly older, much loved pet but kept in glass tank housing Bumper has attractive markings and is really enjoying learning about life outside a glass box. He’s ready for a home that can provide him a fulfilling life. $50 adoption fee

  • Chief

    Read more
    Chief
    Chief  3-Toed Box Turtle Male, less than 1 pound, young adult, Chief came from the pet trade and could be wild-caught. He starts a little shy but when he warms up he’s ready to go! He’s very colorful as well. $50 adoption fee

  • Earl

    Read more
    Earl
    Earl Sulcatas Unknown gender, 1 pound, 3 years old, comes from a loving home that could not provide a proper diet or enclosure. He’s still getting used to a correct diet but he’s adapting well. Continued work will need to be done (in other words, don’t give in). He’ll be easy to house at this young age but a growth plan will need to be seriously considered. $200 adoption fee

  • Emily

    Read more
    Emily
    Emily Redfoot Female, 5+ pounds, juvenile, has an extra scute on her back. Emily is a very outgoing and friendly Redfoot $150 adoption fee

  • Franklin

    Read more
    Franklin
    Franklin Russian Male, 13 ounces, unknown age, came from the wild-caught pet industry. Frankin is very outgoing and active. $50 adoption fee

  • Helen

    Read more
    Helen
    Helen  3-Toed Box Turtle Female, less than 1 pound, young adult, Helen came from the pet trade and could be wild-caught. She’s quite shy but has beautiful colors once she’s out of her shell. $50 adoption fee

  • Pepper

    Read more
    Pepper
    Pepper Redfoots Male, 3+ pounds, juvenile, Pepper has healing dog bite injuries and will require a pen by himself and an experienced keeper. Very outgoing. $150 adoption fee

  • Sylvia

    Read more
    Sylvia
    Sylvia Redfoots Female, 5+ pounds, juvenile, came from glass-tank living and is a bit shy but warms up. She’ll love having spacious pens to call her own! $150 adoption fee

  • Thelma

    Read more
    Thelma
    Thelma  3-Toed Box Turtle Female, less than 1 pound, young-adult, Thelma was abandoned but that doesn’t stop her. She’s raring to go! Eats like a horse and loves to explore and hunt. She’ll be happiest in a large, outdoor pen for as long as the weather will allow. $50 adoption fee

  • Titan

    Read more
    Titan
    Titan 3-Toed Box Turtle Male, less than 1 pound, young adult, not much is known about Titan. He’s a social guy, very colorful, upon surrender he had a bad prolapse but its been two years and no reoccurrence. $50 adoption fee

  • Yakov

    Read more
    Yakov
      Yakov Russian Male, 15 ounces, unknown age, came from the wild-caught pet industry Yakov is a nice gentleman and would love to be in a spacious outdoor pen.

  • Earl

    Read more
    Earl
    Earl Sulcatas Unknown gender, 1 pound, 3 years old, comes from a loving home that could not provide a proper diet or enclosure. He’s still getting used to a correct diet but he’s adapting well. Continued work will need to be done (in other words, don’t give in). He’ll be easy to house at this young age but a growth plan will need to be seriously considered. $200 adoption fee