Find a Void in your Community and Fill It!

It’s really that simple.  Here’s our story…

Turtle Talk Rescue, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization in Boise, Idaho.   Since its unofficial beginnings in 2001, Turtle Talk Rescue has taken in numerous Turtles and Tortoises, providing them with food, shelter and much needed medical care.  

We sectioned off our yard into large garden boxes filled with grass, terra cotta bowls of water and hide boxes for the summer months.  When the weather drops below 60 degrees, we move everyone inside the warm turtle room full of large tanks, horse troughs and small swimming pools to wait out the winter. 

We have been very fortunate to have Dr. Koob with the “Idaho Humane Society”, and Dr. Wiggins with the “Idaho Herpetological Society” caring for our animals.  Networking is the key to making any vision work.  You have to have the community behind you.  Along with the “Idaho Humane Society” and the “Idaho Herpetological Society”, we work closely with “Animals in Distress”, the “Idaho Department of Fish and Game”, and other local rescue organizations to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals.

It is amazing how many exotic animals are making their way up to our area through the internet.  When we started accepting turtles and tortoises in 2001, we received the expected Box turtle and Russian tortoise seen in pet stores around the area.  Then the large “African Spurred Tortoise” began showing up on our doorstep.   Sold as adorable little hatchlings the size of a silver dollar, these little ones grow very quickly, sometimes doubling in size in a year.   The “African Spurred Tortoise”  or “Sulcata” is known to grow up to 240 lbs and live well over 100 years.  They are the third largest tortoises in the world dwarfed only in size by the second largest Aldabra Tortoise, found at our Boise Zoo, and the largest land tortoise being the Galapagos.  So far, the rescue has taken in 8 of these amazing creatures.  They range in size from 8 lbs to 24 lbs to our latest resident weighing in at 62 lbs.  The “African Spurred Tortoise” does NOT hibernate and must be kept warm all winter.  Imagine trying to keep your 62 lb 4^th grader from being bored in a large horse trough in your utility room all winter long…help! 

Over the years we have met the need of our community and surrounding area. But with the influx of “live sales” on the internet, the need is growing at a rapid pace.  Larger animals were coming into the community which requires higher maintenance and much more room than our home can provide. 

We had to make a decision whether to begin to turn away unwanted or abandoned animals, or upgrade to a larger facility where we could meet the needs of these animals that basically have no place to go.  During a family and volunteer meeting of caretakers, the choice was unanimous, and the vision was born.  In January of 2007, Turtle Talk Rescue became a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, declaring our commitment to the animals that we will not abandon them.    

It is because of them that we even start Turtle Talk Rescue almost 9 years ago.  We will soon be building a Turtle Barn on a section of a 200 acre animal sanctuary just outside of Boise.  We could not do this alone, but a number of animal welfare groups in the Boise area have banded together to help their specific animals.  Our goal is to have a home owned by the turtles/tortoises, and the people are welcome to stay as long as they care for the animals.  These amazing guys will long out live us. 

There is a picture of the sanctuary property at sunset.  There is also a picture of a natural rock formation on the property that they call "Turtle Rock".  It is at the entrance of our small section of the property.  When we saw it, we knew we were home.

 While we have reached a few children with our message, we envision a Sanctuary where students of all ages can come and learn about these amazing creatures in a tranquil setting among nature.

We believe that with education, our next generation can stop this cycle of unwanted and abandoned pets, making better choices and long term commitments.    Thank you for helping the animals in our community.

Turtle Talk Rescue, Inc.

Boise, Idaho

turtletalkrescue@msn.com

Website:  turtletalkrescue.com

Turtle Talk Rescue, Inc. cares for abandoned, injured and unwanted turtles and tortoises providing them with immediate care and medical attention.  Many "Special Needs" animals find their way to our rescue.  We have been very fortunate to have Dr. Koob with the “Idaho Humane Society”, and Dr. Wiggins with the “Idaho Herpetological Society” caring for our animals.  

Remember...Animals are not a commodity, they’re our Teachers...listen.

Thanks for caring about the animals in our community.

Sandra Williams  Founder/President 

Turtle Talk Rescue, Inc.