Scooter the Box Turtle When we acquired Scooter we were not sure of
gender but later discovered Scooter is actually a female. She does not
mind her name and we chose not to change it.
Turtle Rescue of Long Island, which is a 501(c)3 non-profit became incorporated in 2004, started by Julie Maguire and Steve Menikos in an effort to help the many turtles and tortoises which become injured or are found ill.
The goal of Turtle Rescue of Long Island is to provide reliable, up to date information on the care of turtles and tortoises as well as provide a haven for native turtles until they can be released back to the wild. On the pages of this website we hope you will find the information you are looking for. We strive to provide the best possible information on all aspects of care of chelonians. You will find links to some of the best sites on the web for species specific care. If you can’t find something just send us an e-mail and we’ll try to find the info for you. (TurtlerescueLI@gmail.com)
Many people buy a turtle or tortoise and know very little about their care and don’t realize how large or how long turtles and tortoises can live with proper care. We hope you will find the information you need on our site to keep a healthy turtle or tortoise.
We have limited space for pet turtles and tortoise so will take in as we are able. We will not be taking in any more Red eared slider turtles as they are too difficult to place and we don’t have room for more in our pond.
We take in many native turtles for rehabilitation. There are cases that can be anything from hit by car, illness, cruelty cases, neglect and abandoned. Whenever possible all native wildlife is returned to the wild as they should be, and in the case of not being able to be released are adopted to permanent homes.
Here in this yard... I will
never know the barriers of living in a glass
tank.
I can sleep soundly, assured that when I
wake my world will not have changed.
I will never know hunger, or the fear of not
knowing if I'll eat.
I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary
from the heat.
I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's
coolness, and be allowed to smell all that
can reach my nose.
My shell will be dirty because that's how a
tortoise should be, not shiny from being
waxed.
Here in this yard... There will be an effort
to communicate with me on my level.
I will be talked to and, even if I don't
understand, I can enjoy the warmth of the
words.
I will be given a name so that I may know
who I am among many.
My name will be used in joy, and I will love
the sound of it!
Here in this yard... I will never be a
substitute for anything I am not.
I will never be used to improve peoples'
images of themselves.
I will be loved because I am who I am, not
someone's idea of who I should be.
I will never suffer for someone's anger,
impatience, or stupidity.
Here in this yard... I can trust arms that
hold, hands that touch...
knowing that, no matter what they do, they
do it for the good of me.
If I am ill, I will be doctored. If scared,
I will be calmed.
No matter what I look like, I will be
considered beautiful and known to be of
value.
I will never be cast out because I am too
old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute
enough.
My life is a responsibility, and not an
afterthought.
I will learn that humans can, sometimes, be
kind.
Here in this yard... I will belong. I will
be home.
Mail donations to: Turtle Rescue of Long Island
PO Box 359
Centereach, NY 11720.
