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Post by ariella on Mar 12, 2022 23:55:20 GMT
I find it incredible that tortoises need re-homing! People I've spoken to over the years (in the UK) complain about how hard it is to get hold of them! Re-homers and rescuers are the best people, by the way. Just sayin'. I agree, Rehomers are good ‘uns. Sadly, tortoises are far too easy to purchase, usually from garden centres with a pet section, the odd exotic pet shop, etc. They sell them as cute little hatchlings - all very tempting - but they also sell the wrong substrate, the wrong food and care sheets are substandard. Depending on the species, tortoises will outgrow their often unsuitable enclosure sold at the same time. Around this time owners start to see their bumpy shells appear from the incorrect diet and get fed up of the costs involved providing the right UV and heat levels to help them thermoregulate and to prevent metabolic bone disease. Supplements on food are also needed for calcium and D3. Not all tortoises can go outside in the UK. Some species are susceptible to RNS, a respiratory infection, and our climate isn’t suitable. Others grow very large and need secure outside heated shelters and secure pens. Not all species hibernate either. It is crucial to know exactly what species you can afford to have in terms of space, time and finances. Annex A tortoises must legally be microchipped from when they’re 60mm (which is very small still) and without the microchip and relevant paperwork in place it it is illegal to sell them. So many reasons why people put them up for rehoming. From my own personal rehomers I’ve had a pair from a lady with cancer, 3 from a long-distance marathon runner who didn’t have the time for them anymore as she took on more challenging runs in different climates, one that was rescued by an animal charity and came to me in terrible condition, a group I rehomed from being passed around breeders, one from an elderly couple who both ended up with knee replacements and couldn’t look after her anymore, a lady getting divorced and having to sell her house and move to a flat and finally a lady who had accidentally bred hers and incubated the eggs for the experience but then didn’t have a clue what to do with them. There are so many tortoises up for rehoming it’s very sad. Many are still incredibly young. Sometimes people buy a pair and they both turn out to be male (and thus will fight when they hit maturity) and so many males are rehomed. Likewise, a male and female pair will lead to a harassed, stressed and laying female. As you can tell, I’m quite passionate about them and would urge anyone to rehome if they could instead of buying, and if buying, a reputable breeder will always offer to take the hatchling back if the new owners can’t cope and will also offer ongoing support. The Tortoise Protection Group has many tortoises needing to be rehomed and they do check on experience and that the correct knowledge and enclosures are in place. Marianne Marlow - 2 dogs, 6 budgies, my daughter’s 2 Guinea pigs, fish and the rest are my shelled babies.
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Post by ariella on Mar 13, 2022 0:11:05 GMT
I’m so pleased Herman has settled in so well and incidentally, guess what species of tortoise I have?
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Post by Loz on Mar 13, 2022 5:20:04 GMT
ariella its been many, many years since I last considered tortoises and the situation has clearly changed from back then. When I was young, you could find tortoises running around on the loose where I lived. I found one in my back garden one time and didn't even give it a thought. A couple of decades later, people were moaning about the shortage of tortoises and angry because they were being stolen from people's houses and gardens things have moved on again I see. I have to say, the current sad state of affairs makes me really angry. I shouldn't be surprised, their are far more brainless folk than their are careful, considerate people but I am appalled. No animal should be taken on unless you know about them or you are prepared to learn quickly.
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Post by Loz on Mar 13, 2022 5:21:38 GMT
I’m so pleased Herman has settled in so well and incidentally, guess what species of tortoise I have? Herman's a revelation 😊 I don't even know any tortoise species. There was only one when I was young! 🤣
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Post by ariella on Mar 13, 2022 8:27:31 GMT
Tortoise theft is a huge issue even now, with gangs specifically targeting known breeders. It is because they cost so much now. I remember as a child boxes of tortoises filled with straw outside pet shops and the torts were a fiver! They were wild-caught and the numbers left in their natural habitat have been left depleted, hence the necessity for DEFRA having some species as Annex A and requiring chips and official paperwork. They also had their shells drilled *shudder* so they could be put on a string leash in gardens. The species I have…Hermanns!!
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Post by Loz on Mar 13, 2022 8:45:50 GMT
Hermanns! 🤣😎
I hate the black market in pets. Animals as mere commodities really boils it for me.
Speaking of Herman, I sat on my bed with him just now, him on my finger and my hand on the duvet. For the first time, he was brave enough to step off onto the duvet ... but only with one foot.
The other foot held onto my finger for safety. That melted my heart and I am far too damned soft to have budgies.
He's flown off onto his favourite curtain roost now and is watching me intently.
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Post by ariella on Mar 13, 2022 10:07:09 GMT
He’s making such amazing progress and clearly has trust in you already. They do melt our hearts, I agree. Nothing wrong with being soft and loving animals. They bring me much more joy than most humans!!
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Post by Loz on Mar 13, 2022 10:28:28 GMT
He’s making such amazing progress and clearly has trust in you already. They do melt our hearts, I agree. Nothing wrong with being soft and loving animals. They bring me much more joy than most humans!! Isn't that the truth! And Herman is excited to see me when I come to play with him, he hops about and then gets onto the perch from which he likes to alight onto my finger. He's been engaged from Day One!
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Post by ffiscool on Mar 13, 2022 13:13:30 GMT
Hermanns! 🤣😎 I hate the black market in pets. Animals as mere commodities really boils it for me. Speaking of Herman, I sat on my bed with him just now, him on my finger and my hand on the duvet. For the first time, he was brave enough to step off onto the duvet ... but only with one foot. The other foot held onto my finger for safety. That melted my heart and I am far too damned soft to have budgies. He's flown off onto his favourite curtain roost now and is watching me intently. that is so lovely.. when I was taking Max to Marianne Marlow, the cage was on the front seat , he was at the side nearest me and as I have an automatic, I had one finger in the cage and a lot of the way, he held onto my finger with one foot.
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
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George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Mar 13, 2022 13:16:51 GMT
It's lovely when they trust us like that
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Post by Loz on Mar 13, 2022 16:09:23 GMT
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Post by Loz on Mar 14, 2022 12:11:00 GMT
Quick Hello! from Herman. Still a very, very good boy.
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Post by Loz on Mar 14, 2022 18:50:33 GMT
A very proud and happy Herman! In the video, I was hoping to catch Herman doing his wing and leg stretch routine. He balls up his foot at the same time and the whole thing is adorable ... The very second I turned off the camera, he did his stretch thing. Maybe next time.
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,803
Member is Online
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Mar 14, 2022 18:52:41 GMT
He looks like he's about to board a UFO..
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Post by Loz on Mar 14, 2022 19:02:44 GMT
You just reminded me of what happened earlier.
Herman was perched on the feeding station and decided to flap his wings for practice. The station started to rotate and I lost sight of what happened next as I was absolutely creased up 😁
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