What to do first
Handling a turtle
Turtles can bite, so avoid placing hands anywhere near the head. Hold the turtle securely as the shell can crack if turtle is dropped. Using a towel can mean turtle can squirm around and out of towel if you don't get a good grip. Though a dry turtle is also easier to hold then a wet one....  Either hold the turtle with two hands, positioned one on each side of the turtle, between front and back legs so you can avoid being scratched by toe-nails.... or hold in one hand with hand gripping shell between the back two legs...over tail area. Always hold with fingers underneath and thumb on top shell (not recommended for a child to hold that way though). Be warned a turtle can have sharp claws which scratch, but generally they don't break the skin.

The turtle will also be very stressed and can pass water into your hand... it's clear, with no smell, more of a "put me down, I'm frightened"  then actual wee. Use a firm grip...with your whole hand, rather than finger tips.

If the turtle has slime or algae over it wash it off with a cloth in warm water...use a soft tooth or nail brush to remove algae...avoiding eyes/face etc. Never use any soaps or chemicals. Don't rub too hard as you could damage the shell. Turtles shell also has nerve endings in it like your teeth, so you need to be aware not to scrub too hard or 'tap' at the turtle etc. Slime can hide many injuries and removing it can help turtle feel better and make it easier to assess shell condition of turtle.


Containment
Choose a lidded secure box such as a large cardboard box so the turtle can’t climb out. Turtles are very good climbers, so they easily climb up laundry baskets and escape! Put newspaper at the bottom of the box, then a folded towel. Then place the turtle on the towel and another towel over the top of the turtle.

Don't 'tape' the lid down or place the turtle in a plastic container with a lid as they need air to breathe.
 

Food
Do not give food. The turtles metabolism may be very slowed down due to being in cold or inadequate conditions. This can lead to food rotting inside the turtle if not placed in ideal environmental conditions.


Water
Giving a dehydrated turtle a drink
It is likely the turtle is dehydrated. Turtles do not drink water from dishes, they “drink” the water they are immersed in. You can give the turtle a drink by placing it in luke warm water just deep enough to go up to the top of its shell. Fill a dish, bath, laundry tub or bowl first to the approximate depth using cold water from the tap, then add a little hot until it is luke warm. Then place the turtle gently in. Allow turtle 20-30 minutes to drink and possibly toilet. Turtles are unable to eat, drink or toilet unless immersed in water. Don’t leave it in this at night, as the turtle will get too cold. See our section below on Water for more information.

Swimming water
The 'Red eared slider' and the 'Eastern Long-neck' turtles are the common pet turtles found in NZ. Both are aquatic turtles and need to live in a large volume of water with a dry basking area. HOWEVER a 'found' turtle may not be able to manage swimming in water for a variety of reasons and so the shallow water (as above) is safest for the turtle. If you have to house the turtle for more than a few hours, then allowing it to have a shallow bath (as above) for up to an hour at a time, 2 or 3 times during the day, will help keep it hydrated. You may need to add a little warm water to stop it becoming too cold. Always ensure the turtles safety i.e. don't place it in a shallow bowl of water on a table. The turtle is likely to climb out due to stress and may fall off the table causing injury or death.
 

Wounds
If the turtle has a gaping wound stabilise by containing as above and urgently contact the SPCA or nearest vet.
 

Already have a turtle?  
If you have a turtle already, do NOT put the found turtle in the tank with them. The found turtle may have a number of contagious conditions such as parasites or pneumonia. It may be covered with leeches which can cause significant shell damage and be difficult to clear from your tank/filter. The most common problem is that turtles are territorial and prefer to live on their own. Horrific injuries and death can be caused by turtles fighting. The found turtle must be quarantined separately to any existing turtles you may have.
 

Advertise the found turtle
Once the turtle is comfortably contained and hydrated as above, please register and place an ad for the found turtle here on petsonthenet.co.nz/ads, under Pets Found (all other pets). Check to see if someone has already posted a lost turtle ad under the Pets Lost section (all other Pets), or type turtle in the search box. Even if the turtle is quickly transferred to the hands of a shelter or SPCA, please do still enter an ad on their behalf stating where the turtle is now, so the owner has somewhere to follow up to, thanks.


Fostering the turtle
Please contact and arrange handover for fostership with the SPCA or Turtle Rescue within 24 hours. Please don’t just “keep” the turtle. This advice is purely only for a short period of time, whilst further help is sought. Turtles cannot be kept this way for any period of time. They require special tanks, lighting, feeding etc. Turtles are a massive commitment, they live for 30 – 40 years, requiring knowledgeable care and plenty of power to keep them warm and well lighted. Unless you have a lot of prior experience with turtles, please contact Turtle Rescue ASAP where the turtle can be housed safely and hopefully reunited or rehomed.


Turtle Rescue contact details
There are two Turtle Rescues in NZ that we are aware of. One in the South Island and one in the North island. Both will be able to offer advice by phone in the first instance. Please mention you found them via petsonthenet, we love success stories!

Turtle Rescue in Auckland is run by Clarice (pronounced Clareece, not Claris)
email turtlelady@slingshot.co.nz
Ph 09 2989099
0274 549199
Clarice does not check her email that often, so if you are urgent to contact her, phoning would be faster than waiting for her to check her email.

Clarice says she is a trained turtle tech now and is therefore willing and able to give some medical advice. Sadly, not all vets know much about turtles, so if you take your turtle to the vet and they don't have the information needed, feel free to call Clarice, vets do already.

Turtles: Rescue in Christchurch is run by Donna
email turtleinfo@paradise.net.nz
Ph (03) 980 7712
021 2020 185
Website: Facebook Turtle Rescue 


Rehoming Turtles
Do you need to rehome your own turtle? If so please register and post a free ad under Pets for Adoption. Please note the turtle must be free, not for sale. You can sell the set ups separately under Pet Accessories for Sale, or just give it with the turtle.

If you are considering adopting a turtle, from time to time we do get ads from people rehoming their turtles, and sometimes they come with all their set ups for free, or reasonably priced. We recommend you read books and the internet widely to learn lots about turtles needs BEFORE you commit to caring for one for 30 or 40 years.

Those able to offer experienced homes for a turtle can also contact Donna at Turtles: Rescue and Rehoming as there are always a number of turtles requiring a safe, loving home.  They are understandably cautious and keen to protect their rescue turtles from any further trauma than they have already experienced at the hands of unknowledgeable owners. You will be required to follow clear guidelines to house/care for the turtle appropriately and if for some reason it doesn’t work out, the turtle must be returned to Turtles: Rescue and rehoming. Clarice in Auckland will also have turtles available for adoption to the right person.