YOUR WEEKEND: Celebrate Tortoise Day this Saturday

American Tortoise Rescue celebrates World Turtle Day, May 23.

The nonprofit organization was established nearly 20 years ago for the protection of all species of tortoise and turtle.

Locally, Tortoise Group of Las Vegas is happy to support the event by offering the public information on the care and adoption of Nevada tortoises, including:
• Tortoises living in Nevada must stay in Nevada, and so Tortoise Group can only adopt to Nevada residents.
• There is no charge for adoption
• Tortoises for Adoption are former pets. They have been legally acquired, not taken from the wild.
• The adoption period is from April to the end of August.
• Tortoises must live outside. An average-sized, fenced backyard of approximately 1,250 square feet is needed.
• Tortoise Group does adopt to schools with suitable outdoor areas.

For more information on Tortoise Group, log on to www.tortoisegroup.org, or call 739-8043.

Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson, founders of ATR, advocate humane treatment of all animals, especially reptiles.

"World Turtle Day was launched to increase respect for and knowledge about one of the world's oldest creatures. These gentle animals have been around for about 200 million years, yet they are rapidly disappearing as a result of the live food markets, habitat destruction and the cruel pet trade," Tellem said. “We are seeing smaller and smaller turtles coming into the rescue, which means that older adults are disappearing from the wild, and the breeding stock is drastically reduced. This is a very sad time for turtles and tortoises throughout the world."

For more information on ATR, visit the group’s Web site at www.tortoise.com.

— Jeannette Carrillo/Photo Special to View