Central Texas Tortoise Rescue (CTTR) exists in order to educate the box turtle and tortoise-keeping public regarding the humane treatment, care, and keeping of captive tortoises and box turtles, and has a robust adoption program in which we take in, care for, and re-home about 100 chelonians each year. It is our adamant belief that even when kept in captivity these animals should be kept in a large outdoor environment that is as natural as possible and permits the animals to engage in instinctual behavior such as grazing, hunting, soaking, and burying without excessive human interaction. We have stringent requirements for vetting potential adopters. The animals that are surrendered to CTTR are all companion animals that people can no longer care for (versus wildlife rehabilitation, which we don't have the resources to engage in). With lifespans of 80 - 150 years and with some species reaching over 100lbs, captive box turtles and tortoises often outlive their keeper's interest or physical capability to care for them, and CTTR accepts animals in all conditions at surrender. Our surrender program even accepts animals that have been neglected, abused, malnourished, and mis-handled. We provide veterinary care and rehabilitation in order to make sure the animals are as healthy as possible before going to their new forever homes, who will receive ongoing education and counseling from CTTR. 

Central Texas Tortoise Rescue is currently pursuing the following initiatives:

1. Continued maintenance and enhancement of on-site enclosures 

2. Veterinary care and rehab for sick or injured surrendered animals

3. Website development

4. Expanded education and outreach programs

5. Training programs for rescue staff

6. Enhanced access to adoptable animals and training for adoptive parents

Your support of just $3 each month will provide tangible care benefits for individual animals, will improve care and husbandry of captive animals with the chelonian-keeping public, and will expand CTTR's reach in order to widen our message and make sure more chelonians are being properly cared for in captivity or surrendered to better circumstances.