REHOMING A TORTOISE
The Tortoise Club was set up to improve the welfare of tortoises in captivity.
We help to find new homes for tortoises and offer ongoing support to both tortoises and keepers, with animal welfare always our priority.
FINDING CARING NEW HOME FOR YOUR TORTOISE
The club works with owners across the UK who need to find a well-informed, caring and permanent new home for a beloved tortoise.
Our team will work closely with you to record important information about your tortoise to ensure its ongoing care is of the highest standard. Norfolk Tortoise Club follow legal guidelines for tortoise species protected by CITEs.
We can support and train a new keeper if you have found one yourself. Alternatively, we can help to coordinate your tortoise’s adoption by a new keeper who has been approved and trained by the club. New keepers must sign a document that commits them to having the tortoise health-checked once a year and returning it to the club if their circumstances change.
To ensure we can help as many tortoises as we can, we will offer advice and resources to help you find new keeper directly. In instances where this is not possible, we are able to take care of animals at our Norfolk centre until new home is found. This service is considered on a case-by-case basis, with priority given to the eastern region, the elderly and those in difficult situations. A donation is appreciated to help cover the costs.
INTERESTED IN REHOMING A TORTOISE?
Thank you for your interest in rehoming a tortoise. Please read and consider all the information on this page before completing the online application form.
Photographs of your potential indoor and outdoor tortoise spaces will help us to better consider your application.
Our team will aim to make contact within 14 days of your application. In the unlikely event you do not hear from us within this time, please contact us again.
Please be aware that in the majority of cases the tortoise must be collected from Norfolk. Priority will be given to those who live in or can collect from Norfolk.
Please be aware that in the majority of cases the tortoise must be collected from NORFOLK, UK.
Please note: We are unable to guarantee a match, but we welcome your application once you have read and agreed to our terms.
REHOMING STEPS IN BRIEF
Initial discussion/share further information with potential new keeper.
Guidance and feedback is given to the potential new keeper by a club mentor, with confirmation of any immediate improvements needed to their setup.
New keeper makes final amendments and demonstrates these through photographs. Final proof of the suitability of the setup, as well as lighting (if not purchasing from the club scheme), is required at the time of collection.
Collection of the tortoise is arranged. The adoption agreement is signed, a short induction to becoming a tortoise keeper is provided and essential care items can be purchased.
OUT OF AREA APPLICATIONS
If you are out of our area, please feel free to use our resources to prepare yourself for adoption of a tortoise. We recommend that you sign up to national rehoming registers, and search Facebook rehoming pages and local preloved adverts.
WHICH TORTOISE... YOUNG, OLD, LARGE OR SMALL?
Don’t worry if you're not entirely sure which tortoise could suit you and your home best. Complete the form and return it, then one of our rehoming team will be happy to offer advice according to your situation and available space.
REHOMING AREAS TO CONSIDER
OUTDOORS - Secure outdoor sunny area / secure garden – see the online set-up gallery as well as the set-up care sheet for help. The key to a good set-up is lots of different areas to explore, not just a grass lawn.INDOORS - A warm dry space with UV heat lamp, for bad weather days and either side of hibernation - ideally in greenhouse, shed or kitchen. FEEDING - Lots of healthy natural food to graze on including weeds and plants (no fruits or vegetables), and/OR a willingness to collect suitable weeds regularly. SAFETY - Fence off ponds and other deep water, awareness precaution and vigilance regarding dangers, particularly from predators such as dogs, cats, mice and rats.
REHOMING COST GUIDE
The are many things you do not require for tortoise ownership, but a few that are essential for a healthy animal.
Basic indoor and outdoor budgets are normally around £100-£150. Including UVB/Heat bulbs £37.50, ceramic lamp holders £30
We have a suggested donation of £80 to cover rehoming expenses. All tortoise come with support from the club before and after adoption.
A generous starter pack including calciums, nutrobal multivitamin, tamodine soap, digital temperature probe, dried flower, seed samples and more.
The charity are able to supply basic kit and prices on request or support with third party shopping list.
WHY REHOME A TORTOISES
Tortoises are a popular pet in the UK with hundreds in need of new homes each year. Help make a sustainable choice by helping a rehome tortoise. Although some may have not had perfect care, with advice and support rehoming a tortoise and helping it thrive can be a rewarding choice.
WHICH TORTOISE? YOUNG, OLD, LARGE OR SMALL
If you’re still not entirely sure which tortoise could suit your home best, the rehoming team will be happy to help you further according to your situation and garden space available.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO REHOME?
Rehoming is carried out by trained volunteers. Rehoming is set by how soon basic indoor and outdoor setup can be finished and signed off. It also depends on if you have specific requirements in terms of type, size. Around mid November and mid January many opt to apply and prepare but postpone collection until after hibernation. Some cases such as non hibernating exotic species being the exception.
If you are considering adoption, from early Spring through Summer are ideal times to allow a tortoise to settle in to their new home. Applications later in the year are considered on a case-by-case basis.
LONG-TERM AGREEMENT
As with many rehoming projects, we do ask rehomers to sign to say that you fully understand our Terms. This includes terms such as notifying us of change of circumstances like change of address, not selling the tortoise. We do request rehomer’s stay in touch with the club for support and try to attend health check events especially in the first few years. Club health checks are available at events for £7.50 annually.
HOME CHECKING
Most applications can be approved via photos and videos of setup. Visits to the centre are available prior to rehoming for a small donation.
GARDEN SIZE
Indoor and outdoor space can be flexible depending on the spare space you have available.
We have a variety of breeds and ages which have different enclosure requirements- but whether you have a large or small garden, we are bound to have a tortoise for you!
We will expect you to undertake modern tortoise keeping methods & keep up to speed with current recommended husbandry techniques.
The Club will always be around for you should you need any ongoing support & advice.