Sanctuary Residents:

Once a tortoise has Metabolic Bone Disease and suffers significant internal and external damage from poor or incorrect care there is not much that can be done. The damage is permanent and cannot be reversed. The best outcome is to provide a safe, stress-free environment for the rest of their days. Thus, the sanctuary residents live high-on-the-hog and will live out their days as happy as possible.

Your support will allow me to continue to give them the good life as long as possible.

Lewis (Sulcata):

Lewis (Sulcata) – Lewis arrived in March of 2018. Details surrounding his arrival are sketchy. But, the story goes that he and his owner traveled America’s highways in a freight truck. Unfortunately, tortoises don’t want to travel the highways, and his overall condition shows it. He has MBD and enough internal and external damage to significantly shorten his life.

Support Lewis



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H2 (Russian):

H2 (Russian) – H2 arrived in July 2021, presenting the same swelling in the right front leg as Hulk but with full range of motion. After vet review, decided to leave the leg intact and continue to monitor. A time may come where the leg declines and will need to be removed.

Support H2



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Zig and Zag (Redfoot):

Zig/Zag (Redfoot) – Zig and Zag arrived together. Raised together, suffering from MBD, neither can lift themselves up to walk properly. They shuffle on their knees, causing cuts that constantly need to be attended. The extent of damage is mind-boggling, as is the fact they are still alive. Both are over the age of 20 years and weigh less than a pound.

Support Zig and Zag


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SP (Sulcata):

SP (Sulcata) – SP is short for Saraphina. Saraphina was another Sulcata that got a bad deal from her owner. Saraphina was a sweet girl that didn’t deserve her life cut short. SP is in the same boat. Her previous owner didn’t take care of her and her condition shows it. She has chronic respiratory problems and needs medicine constantly. She also has to be permanently quarantined.  She has MBD and enough internal and external damage to significantly shorten her life.

Support SP



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Nubs (Box Turtle):

Nubs (Box Turtle) – Nubs is proof of turtle/tortoise resiliency.  Nubs arrived in September 2020. Previously, he suffered years of poor care resulting in Metabolic Bone Disease. Nubs is unable to use his legs properly and scoots along on his knees. His skin is paper thin and cuts and bleeds often. His beak needs constant trimming. He requires treatment for shell rot and eats a specialized diet  in his pen curated to his exact needs. Nubs also gets water therapy to help circulation.

Support Nubs



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