American Tortoise Rescue (ATR)

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American Tortoise Rescue (ATR) is a non profit organization founded in 1990 to provide for the protection of all species of tortoise and turtle.

Our mission is to educate those wanting to know more about these gentle and wonderful creatures; stop their habitat destruction; and end the cruel pet trade of these gentle creatures.

We offer permanent sanctuary to abandoned and lost tortoises, as well as those that are confiscated from law enforcement and require temporary housing. Foundlings that cannot be adopted because of ill health remain in the care of American Tortoise Rescue for the remainder of their lives. ATR has saved more than 3000 turtles and tortoises since its inception.

American Tortoise Rescue acts as a national clearinghouse for information about the care, feeding and rehabilitation of endangered and captive bred tortoises. In addition, ATR is an advocacy group working to abolish “live market” slaughter of turtles, the illegal sale of hatchlings or any turtle under four inches by vendors, the cruel importation and exportation of a variety of species and to protect the desert tortoise from collectors, off-road vehicles and land grabs by large companies and the military. Currently we are working to stop the sale of illegal hatchling turtles in mercados, at swap meets and fairs, as well as in pet stores.

Since its inception, American Tortoise Rescue has rescued well over 3,000 turtles and tortoises of all species with 70 percent being land tortoises and the remainder water turtles. The in-house population "floats" at about 125.

Our achievements
• Implementing a national campaign to stop the sale of a specific species of tortoise called sulcatas, which are being mistreated and sold illegally throughout the U.S.
• Helping to stop the cruel sale of turtles and other exotic animals in an section of Los Angeles called Santee Alley. Because of our video presentation before the Animal Control Commission, officers now continually monitor the situation and make arrests.
• Bringing to light the cruel sale of water turtles in asian markets throughout the US. These animals were kept in unsanitary, cruel conditions including upside down, without food, water, or shade.
• Creating a campaign called Turtle Ambassadors to teach awareness among school children about turtles and tortoises.
• Developing a national campaign to stop the sale of reptiles in pet stores.
• Producing a series of videos about turtles and tortoises, which is distributed to media and other places with large audiences.

Susan M. Tellem is the Founder of American Tortoise Rescue (ATR).

For other net participants we can offer an expert guidance through trained staff, give an expert opinion, procure expert information and establish new contacts in the field of our work.