Oscar is our red eared slider(turtle).I bought him 4 years ago for my other half and he was the size of a quarter.They generally don't live long in captivity,usually dying before reaching adulthood.Oscar,however,is thriving.So much so,that he is now the size of a sandwich plate.He's beautiful,at least to us,but we've made the difficult decision to place him in a Pond Sanctuary near our home.Here in Florida,people often get these types of turtles(and other aquatic life)and release them into the abundance of lakes,rivers,etc.to fend for themselves when they no longer want them or can provide for them.This sanctuary was started to help alleviate this.Oscar lives in a large fish tank w/ floating dock,sunlamp,etc.But we feel his quality of life will be much better in a more natural environment.People tell me "he's just a turtle"but I love him and will miss him just as if it were one of my Fids or dogs.I'm taking him on Saturday to the sanctuary,and I know in my heart,it is the best thing for him.

no "pet" is just a pet.

i have to correct people when they say i do too much for my fids, or spend too much on them, or too much time, or "OMG you cook for your birds??" lol. they are my little babies, and i can't understand how everyone doesn't understand that.

good luck oscar! have a GREAT life in the pond

kris

I totally understand your situation. We had a red slider too who got to be a giant and we kept buying bigger tanks for him until it was just too much. We have a friend who had built an aquatic pond in his back yard and amist tears and goodbyes we took our little boy and released him to his freedom and other friends that were in the pond. We visit every once in a while and he is thriving, so it is the best for them even though it broke our hearts and yours too. You did the right thing, but I know your pain. Just remember he is a lot happier in his new house

Be happy Oscar!!! Your mama loves you enough to put you where you will love being free. I know you are gonna love it there!

I think it is the right decision.
I have seen these turtles in the wild in Florida and I know they don't belong. A sanctuary is a great idea!!

My budgies would be happier in a big aviary with hundreds of other budgies. But for now they have to stay with me...

Sigrid

i think it's awesome that you looked for a sanctuary! i hate when people say, "It's only a....."

"It" may be only a ..... to them but for animal lovers "it" is loved unconditionally!

i almost had a fit when my sister and brother (separately) said they were going to let their budgies go outside. They both said, "The'll be fine!" ummm NO they won't! i made them give me a few days to find them new homes. even though they weren't my birds, i couldn't consciously let them fend for themselves!

oscar is going to live happily ever after....

Good for you that you were one of the few considerate pet owners who keep the creatures best interest at heart by finding a secure andsafe place for them to live out the rest of their lives!

It infuriates me when people say, "Oh I just turned him loose out in a wooded area. He'll be fine out there. Or I just thought I'd throw it in the lake.

I'm sure he will enjoy his new home as much as you enjoyed his old home and the time with you. You are doing the right thing by putting his needs first and wanting him to be in a more natural environment, while keeping him safe.

You are a wonderful turtle Mommy for putting the welfare of your pet first. I agree with the others, I hate when people tease me about all I do for my birds. Yes I cook for them, play with them, snuggle with them, take them to the vet just for physicals(this one always makes people gasp), take them outside or on errands with me, and love them with all my heart!! When we take these babies, whether they are dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rodents etc.., into our homes we also take them into our hearts. I wish everyone could understand that.

Good for you for doing the right thing! And don't let people minimize your attachment to him. "Just a turtle"...no way. He became a family member. I'm sure he'll be very happy at the sancutary. Sometimes that's best for certain kinds of critters. I remember when I was a kid, and my brother was supposed to pith a frog in school (a disgusting experiment with live frogs). He stole his frog instead and smuggled it home. We named it Hodge and kept it all winter. In the spring, it was sad to let him go but it seemed kindest to take him out to a nice lake where he could live a natural life so he was released way out in a pond in rural Indiana where he hopefully lived out a happy life.

Wow. Good for you for finding a sanctuary for your little (well, big) red-eared slider. In my area, people often let their turtles go outside. The problem is, the red-eared sliders are actually doing very well and outcompeting the native turtles; painted turtles being the most hard hit. It's to the point that local wildlife sanctuaries/nature preserves will capture and remove the sliders if given the chance. Sometimes, unfortunately, remove means kill. If people had just been responsible with their pets, like you are, this wouldn't have happened.

Dee,

You loved Oscar enough to let him go to a place that can better take care of his needs. That sounds like responsible pet parenting. Hat's off to you lady I know it was a hard decision.