Reptile & Amphibian Forums

well i've had a painted turtle as a pet for about 14 years now. i try to take good care of him but with other pets, work, i'm having a baby in 3 weeks, sometimes i feel that his 55 gallon home just doesn't make hime happy. i live in ohio and worry about winter or if he'd even make it. anyone have any advice on how i can slowly train him to return to a small rather uneventful pond? do you think he'd make it through our rough winters? is it all around a horrible idea? i just want him to be happy and safe!

Ooo, bad idea, I think. You should definitely try to adopt him out. It's never a good idea to turn a captive turtle free, especially after, what, 14 years?! I know if I lived in Ohio I would take him off your hands. Try to post him for adoption on craigslist.

It is against the law to release pet turtles into the wild
not because after 14 years your turtle may die in the wild
but because they can carry diseases that wipe out the entire
native population.

Painted turtles are pretty popular. If you must part with
it find a rescue, do not just let it go.

Linda

I agree with the other posts. Find your turtle a new home either at an animal shelter or perhaps a zoo or what ever is available in your area...you owe it to him for his well being.

Agreed, to set him free in the wild you are basically killing him. He has no wild instincts anymore and will surely starve or be eaten.