American Tortoise Rescue (ATR) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit (tax ID #93-1219374) founded in 1990 to protect all species of tortoises and turtles. We are proud to say that ATR has saved and rehomed more than 4,000 turtles and tortoises domestically and internationally. It’s important to note that we are an all-volunteer operation with all monies donated going directly to the animals’ food, housing, transport and medical care, and not to salaries and overhead.
American Tortoise Rescue acts as a worldwide clearinghouse for information about the proper care, feeding and rehabilitation of endangered and captive bred turtles and tortoises. We work to abolish “live market” slaughter of turtles highlighted by the recent outbreak of COVID-19, the illegal sale of hatchlings, the cruel pet trade and international smuggling. We also work to stop the sale of illegal turtles at mercados, swap meets and county fairs, as well as asking for a stop to the breeding of sulcatas which are overwhelming all rescues.
In the year 2000, American Tortoise Rescue launched World Turtle Day®, celebrated annually on May 23rd. Its purpose is to educate the world’s peoples about why saving turtles and tortoises from extinction is critical. With the climate emergency, it is important to note that we have already permanently lost 61 % of the world’s turtles and tortoises. This observance is now “shellebrated” in virtually every country on the globe. We have millions of Google results, trend #1 on twitter and Facebook with thousands of followers. Check us out at www.worldturtleday.org and on social media.
Please share our work widely with all your turtle loving friends. Visit www.tortoise.com, follow us at American Tortoise Rescue on social media and check out our videos on YouTube at AmericanTortRescue.
#turtlestrong!
