Tell Petco to support adoptions and stop the sale of Red-Eared Slider Turtles
- by: Tiffany Namwong
- recipient: James M. Myers, CEO of Petco
Petition Delivered Tuesday 6/2/2015
Red-Eared Slider turtle surrenders:
- 973 - 2010 to 2014 Los Angeles Animal Control
- 618 - 2014 The California Turtle and Tortoise Club
- 400 - Annually, San Diego Turtle and Tortoise Society
- 300 - Annually, Creepy Critters Rescue
- Nearly 1/3 of the 3,000 turtles saved by American Tortoise Rescue are RES.
- 57 - 2014 Peninsula Humane Society in Northern California.
Reptile rescues are overwhelmed by the nonstop surrender of this species and often must pay for vet care, provide rehabilitation and a lifelong sanctuary to these animals. The result of RES abandonment can be seen in 2014 during which 113 illegally abandoned, starving and sick Red-eared Sliders were pulled from Overfelt Gardens Park pond in San Jose California. The pond was dying due to the ongoing drought in California. Video of a former pet killed by a predator. Video1 and Video2 of the rescue. Dead turtles collected over 2 days pic1, pic2 and pic3. The turtles received medical care and a permanent home at Creepy Critters Rescue, Turtle & Tortoise Rescue of Arroyo Grande and PHS.
We have a RES overpopulation problem.
Each turtles can live up to 40 years, requires an incredible amount of space, special heating, lighting and diet and ideally a secure escape proof and predator proof outdoor pond. Vet care for these animals is expensive and hard to find. We would like to respectfully invite Petco to take the lead in supporting the adoption of Red-Eared Slider turtles by stopping the sale of these animals. Please work with local reptile rescues to hold informative presentations where people can learn more and then decide on adoption.
Take it to the next level. Print out this letter and mail it in with your receipt to show you are a paying customer.. We've made Petco a multimillion dollar business and they need to listen.
James Myers
9125 Rehco Rd,
San Diego, CA 92121
Dear Mr. Myers,
On behalf of the thousands of Red-eared Slider turtles (RES) being abandoned at shelters and reptile rescues we are asking that your company take the lead in promoting the adoption of these animals rather than ordering them in from farms. In California for instance, there are reptile clubs and rescues which can provide information to the public on their special care and help rehome them.
RES can live for upwards 40 years, require heating, lighting, superb water quality a balanced diet and ideally an outdoor secure pond. Many people surrender animals once it outgrows a 20 gallon tank or realize the financial burden of purchasing an expensive filter. Vet care for reptiles is hard to find and expensive.
Please consider these staggering statistics:
- 973 - 2010 to 2014 Los Angeles Animal control
- 618 - 2014 The California Turtle and Tortoise Club
- 400 - Annually, San Diego Turtle and Tortoise society
- Nearly 1/3 of the 3,000 turtles saved by American Tortoise Rescue are RES.
- 57 - 2014 Peninsula Humane Society in Northern California.
Cordially,
Red-eared Slider Turtle Advocates & Petco Customers
I appreciate all your social media shares and support. On behalf of the turtles I am delivering the petition first via email and then via United States Postal Service along with an info packet showing photos of the countless dead turtles found in San Jose, California---this pond is actually close to 2 Petcos which sell RES and also 2 Petsmart which sell them as well. Right now my focus is first Petco. Thank you and please don't give up---I will not :)
By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
You can unsub at any time here.
Having problems signing this? Let us know.