I am keen to foster. Can someone advise if I can? I posted previously. I live in a flat and have read conflicting info about keeping tortoises inside. But I am keen to help. I know the forms for rejoining ate detailed and before I apply/get someone to complete things at the other end I would just like an idea of whether I am eligible.
Sorry, was on a train and my iPhone tool over with predictive text. I've had conflicting information about keeping tortoises and I know there is a detailed application process with this site for applying to rehome (and rightly so). Before completing the forms I just wanted an idea of whether I would be eligible for fostering
We don't need fosterers at the moment. You usually get a response when you send in your registration form but that depends how busy we are and this summer we've been inundated with tortoise related (and other) issues. I'm sorry if you haven't had a response yet, maybe the email has gone astray? Be welcome to re-send any information or questions and i will be happy to help :) Susan
Having kept tortoises for over 40 years and seen quite a few "house " toroises I can assure you keeping a tortoise indoors without access to natural day/sun light will eventually lead to bone and shell problems (MBD) along with other health issues. They need UV rays to help the body produce vitamin d3 which then helps the body absorb the calcium eaten in their natural diet. This then strengthens their shell and promotes healthy bone growth. In the past I have seen two very large tortoises kept in an open topped 3ft glass tank. Sadly the underneath of their very lumpy shells were spongey, they had no strength in their front legs which meant they were pushing their whole body along with their back legs whilst the front legs couldn't support their body weight and the owner thought it was normal!.The sides of the tank were opaque due to them continually trying to dig "through" the glass. They were completely stressed out and although I tried to buy them the owner was convinced they were happy as she let them "exercise" in her flat for 30 mins every evening and refused to part with them. Even on a solid wooden tortoise table you need a large area for them to be happy and although you can buy uv and heat bulbs they still require doses of natural daylight as bulbs are not a permanent substitute. Sorry to sound so negative because I can see you want to make sure your tortoise would be well looked after but personally I don't think any tortoise group would allow you to rehome if you did not have a full outdoor and indoor set up. It is only what they deserve and absolutely what they require.
After doing research I had realised that myself yet less reputable sites made it seem possible and I suspected it wasn't true. I would never ever want to put any animal at risk. I wasn't interested in rehoming at this stage I was more interested in foster care. I have read so many horror stories, as you describe about incompetent people tortoises and causing them harm that I really wanted to help. I have wanted a tortoise for a long time but I can see until I have access to outside space it won't be possible which is why I thought about fostering. Even if it was on an emergency basis. I feel so sorry for the animals that you describe it is just not fair.
The reputable sites I have been on seem to favour experienced keepers for tortoises. I agree with this but can you recommend any reading or anything that would help me increase my understanding so that one day I might be able to rehome and foster (when i have outside space) I know I would still be considered a novice in tortoise husbandry but it's hard to become experienced without having any. How do you start off?
I am grateful for you advice you sound very knowledgable. I know someone with a tortoise and it has lots of inside space and outside space too and is very well looked after- this had already led me to think it was unrealistic but I still wanted to enquire and I didn't take your comments negatively.
Thank you. I wish everyone with these beautiful creatures was as responsible as you seem.
After doing research I had realised that myself yet less reputable sites made it seem possible and I suspected it wasn't true. I would never ever want to put any animal at risk. I wasn't interested in rehoming at this stage I was more interested in foster care. I have read so many horror stories, as you describe about incompetent people tortoises and causing them harm that I really wanted to help. I have wanted a tortoise for a long time but I can see until I have access to outside space it won't be possible which is why I thought about fostering. Even if it was on an emergency basis. I feel so sorry for the animals that you describe it is just not fair.
The reputable sites I have been on seem to favour experienced keepers for tortoises. I agree with this but can you recommend any reading or anything that would help me increase my understanding so that one day I might be able to rehome and foster (when i have outside space) I know I would still be considered a novice in tortoise husbandry but it's hard to become experienced without having any. How do you start off?
I am grateful for you advice you sound very knowledgable. I know someone with a tortoise and it has lots of inside space and outside space too and is very well looked after- this had already led me to think it was unrealistic but I still wanted to enquire and I didn't take your comments negatively.
Thank you. I wish everyone with these beautiful creatures was as responsible as you seem.
Hi, Just a quick update on our website changes. All Tortoises available for rehoming can be found by clicking the below link, which has recently been updated
If you feel you are able to offer a tortoise a suitable home, please follow this link where contact details and an explanation of how to go about rehoming a tortoise can be found (if you haven’t already done so):-
If you are new to keeping tortoises, care sheets for each species and photos of suitable set-ups can be found by navigating through the menu on the left hand side of our website.
Many Thanks Again for taking the time to contact us and we hope to hear from you shortly:-)
