Good evening,

We have been asked to rehome a male horsfield living in the Essex area.  We would like to see this tortoise moved as soon as possible, as he is a very miserable tortoise at the moment.

During the winter months he lives in a vivarium, he is 8 or 9 years old, weighs 570gs and has never been hibernated.  During the summer months he has a pen in the garden where he can eat a more natural die, but during the winter he lives on fresh greens, mushrooms, fruit, tomatoes and pellets .  He has not been eating well over the winter, but as he is a russian, he will probably have a strong instinct to hibernate and may not be happy that he hasn't.

He walked into a tin of emulsion paint some time ago, and although most of it was washed off, there are some patches of white paint on the front of his shell, which his owner describes as 'knobbly'.  We do not have any pictures as yet.

If you would like to offer this tortoise a new home, please contact the rehoming team at rehoming@tortoise-protection-group.org.uk with the email subject line 'Horsfield/Essex'.  The rehoming application form can be found in the Rehoming Section of this website, you will need to download it into your documents, complete it and attach it to your email.  Any problems, please let us know, and if you have already completed an application, please let us know when you apply.


Please note: There is no fee charged for re-homing but we hope that
if you are successful in your application, you will consider a
donation to help towards the TPG's work. Please be assured that any
donation no matter how small will be spent working towards making a
lasting difference to tortoises. Not all tortoises that we have
rehomed in the past have required veterinary treatment, however
occasionally this has occured, therefore as a non profitable group we
rely on your generosity to help our cause.

Jo

I hope this poor little guy finds a new home soon! 

I am so so tempted to set up another tortoise table ... but would this little guy need a huge big enclosure ?  What size would be suitable please ?  love from Marilyn.x

Also, would he need to be quarantined away from Toto please ?.. love Marilyn. x

Hi Marilyn

Nice to hear from you :)

At the size he is, this tortoise will need a decent sized table, and also an outdoor enclosure for the summer.  Russian tortoises do love to dig, so he would need a decent depth of substrate while indoors to indulge his passion <g> and his outdoor enclosure needs to be very secure to avoid him digging escape tunnels, none of this is difficult to achieve, but it does need to be taken into consideration.  He would also never be able to live with Toto, which would mean permanentley separate enclosures.  Jo is dealing with this rehoming,  and if you would like to apply, please get in touch on the rehoming email at rehoming@tortoise-protection-group.org.uk

all the best

Arlene

Hello Arlene, Many thanks for your advice.   An outside enclosure would be no problem as I have a lovely garden big enough for a few torts... but indoors for a large tort. may be a problem.........   what a shame.     If I can help in the short term,do please let me know.    with love from Marilyn. x

Hi Marilyn

Thank you so much for your kind offer - it is always so good to have foster homes in reserve :)  we are so lucky to have such generous members who are willing to help

Many thanks

Arlene

I would be very proud indeed to be a foster Mum to a little Tort. in need.  I have fostered over 80 children and about 55 cats in the past. !!       My only problem is not being able to drive far.   xx

Hello Arlene,  Has anyone come forward for this little Tort. yet please ?   love from Marilyn. x

Hi Marilyn

We have had a lot lovely offers for this little chap, and hopefully will be able to let you all have an update soon

all the best

Arlene

Oh that IS good news.....  I was wondering whether to prepare my spare table......    love from Marilyn. x    

Hopefully by this time tomorrow, this chap should be settling into his new home :o)

Many thanks, as always, to all those who applied, your support is greatly appreciated.

Jo