Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society

We are an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in February, 1997, directed by concerned hobbyists and professionals, who saw a need to reach out to the public and improve the conditions under which captive chelonians are kept and try to protect local species and their habitats. We are a conservation group that also does adoptions as a public service.

We offer an adoptions program to help displaced or unwanted pet turtles and tortoise find new, loving homes. We are licensed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to find new homes for unwanted and/or unreleasable pet native turtles. The adoptions program is funded strictly by donations. We do not receive any grants or reimbursement from DNR or the government.

Please note, we do not have a central shelter. All turtles are in foster homes. Each year we find homes for over 100 displaced or unwanted pet turtles, tortoises, frogs, and small lizards.

Contact
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Website
http://www.matts-turtles.org

Phone
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Donation
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Email
matts_adoptions@hotmail.com

Rescue FAQs

MD, DC, York County PA, northern VA, DE

Additional adoption info

TO REQUEST AN ADOPTION APPLICATION: Applications can be mailed to you, either as an e-mail attachment, or through the US Postal Service.
E-mail matts_adoptions@hotmail.com to request an application. Complete the application in full. A vet reference is required, even if your vet does not see turtles. If you do not have a vet, please explain the reason.

We need to know that you understand how to care long-term for a turtle or tortoise. This includes the correct size and type of housing, proper food, hiding spots, substrate, lighting, humidity, and water requirements. If you currently own turtles or reptiles, please include a picture of your set-up(s) including lighting, basking spots, hiding spots, and any pertinent information that proves you have proper enclosures. Pictures of outdoor enclosures should indicate that the enclosure is escape-proof and watering areas, hiding spots, and the like should be visible.
If you're looking to add a turtle or tortoise in with another turtle, please include that in the application.

If you do not currently own a reptile, include a full description of how you intend to care for the animal in which you are interested. This includes the size of enclosure, types of food you will offer, substrate (for non-aquatics), what will be used for hide spots, types of lighting for indoor enclosures, fencing for outdoor enclosures, etc. Pictures of outdoor areas that will serve as the site of future enclosures will be helpful.
Once you've been approved, we'll let you know, so you can prepare an enclosure for the turtle, then send a picture of the completed enclosure before picking up the turtle or arranging for shipment.

An adoption contract comes with each turtle. Basically, you agree to care for a turtle or tortoise in a humane manner and maintain it in accordance with the laws and ordinances in the county and state in which you reside. You further agree that you will not sell, trade, release, or give away said animal in any way without the written permission of MATTS. If you cannot care for the animal for any reason, it may be returned to MATTS. MATTS reserves the right to approve the transfer of adopted turtles to another individual or organization - you don't have to return it to us if you can't keep it, but we'd like to know where it goes if you don't keep it.

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