What exactly is tortoise adoption? According to the National Tortoise Custody and Rescue (NTCR) program, an average of 200 new tortoises are adopted every month in the United States. Tortoises are not only popular pets in the United States, but also in other countries around the world such as Great Britain, Italy, and Australia. There are two types of tortoises: terrestrial and aquatic. Water turtles typically need more care and attention than their land-based cousins, so they may take longer to be adopted.
When you are considering desert tortoise adoption, you will have to prepare the environment for the pet. The typical requirements for this are: a large enough enclosure with some rocks and pieces of wood to make it look like a small enclosure. Your pet will also need a shaded area where the sun can shine on him. In order to make your environment look more authentic, you may want to purchase a tortoise shell which will give your tortoise the appearance of being a part of nature. Purchasing a non-breedible shell may help to avoid fines if discovered to be selling a tortoise that has been obtained using illegal methods.
If you plan to adopt a burrow tortoise, you should make a larger enclosure than what you would for a terrestrial tortoise. Burrowing tortoises need a very large amount of room, so they can move around freely in their new habitat. They are naturally burrowing creatures, so an outdoor area in your yard would be perfect for them. You can make your outdoor area appear larger by planting large trees and shrubs in the area.
There are two types of tortoise clubs that you may be interested in joining. One of these is the American Tortoise Society, which works with local chapters throughout the country to promote and raise money for tortoise conservation. The other organization, the Malayan Wildlife Society, works with captive desert tortoises and works with them in their natural environments. The mission of both groups is the same; to promote the rescue, rehabilitation, and return of healthy tortoises back into their natural environments.
If you live in Arizona, you may want to consider adopting some of these critters. They can make beautiful additions to any back yard. The process of adopting an Arizona turtle or two can be easy or hard depending on what type of turtle you want to adopt and whether you have the space for them in your yard. You can create an adoption list either online or at your local pet store, and then begin contacting people who have tortoises for sale or who could help you find an Arizona turtle for adoption.
When you complete the desert tortoise permit application form, the breeder will provide you with all of the information needed to care for your newly adopted turtle. Once you have completed this step, you will be required to sign the form as well as pay a one-time adoption fee. The breeder will provide a paper copy of this document, along with all the other information needed by the state to ensure that you are properly adopting an Arizona turtle. Once you complete this step and have all of the necessary papers completed and signed, you are ready to take your new friend home!