Big and Small Tortoise Rescue and Sanctuary

24/03/2025

Update - Adopted!

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This is a courtesy rehoming post. There is a juvenile redfoot, named Ruth (although it's too small to know if it's male or female yet), looking for a new home in Ames, Iowa! Only experienced homes are wanted for this one. If you have tortoise experience and looking to get a young redfoot, Ruth may be a perfect fit. She is said to be healthy and a good eater. 😊

Please fill out the application at the link below and message me so I don't miss it. Thanks!
https://bigandsmalltortoise.org/sanctuary/adoption/

04/03/2025

This is a courtesy rehoming post. Flash is a male sulcata looking for a new home in Swisher, Iowa.

Flash was adopted to this exceptional home through us, but was a bit small to tell the s*x at the time and we were all hoping for flash to be a female!. Unfortunately Flash turned out to be a male and he can pester their female sulcata. So, Flash is now looking for a new home where he can be kept separate from other tortoises. He is a great tortoise otherwise, has went to many educational programs with the current adopter and is said to be calm and not too destructive. 😁 He is currently between 40-50 lbs.

If you can provide a great home, both indoor and outdoor setups, please reach out and apply at the link below!

https://bigandsmalltortoise.org/sanctuary/adoption/

26/02/2025

This is a courtesy rehoming post for a male russian tortoise named Ralph in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

This young man sounds like he's really trying his best to provide for this tortoise and would like to find him a great home! ❤️

From the owner 🥹
"I got my Russian tortoise from my mom’s friend and I had it for a year to a year and a half already. The problem is that I don’t really have the money to keep supporting him since my parents don’t help me pay for anything and charge me electricity and food for him. I am 15 and don’t have a job and I don’t know what to do. So I wanted to see if I could donate him to you guys so that he could get a better owner that is able to support him. I built him a better enclosure because he came in a small glass aquarium and I built a 2x7 ft box with more space for him. I can keep him for a little longer but I would need to donate him before May."

Lets help this one find an awesome home! If you'd like to adopt, please fill out the online adoption form at the link below! If you've already filled one out before please message me and let me know!

https://bigandsmalltortoise.org/sanctuary/adoption/

23/02/2025

Hi everyone, I just want to say thank you very much for all your donations! I rarely ask for donations unless truly needed, and I was really touched by the amount of donations we received! 🥰

We raised $3,105 in a few days! Thanks to all the donors!

Special thanks to donors :
David and Barb Graham $500,
Jane Kolias $500,
Tortoise Run Farm $300,
Tom Gartin $300,
Sam Winemiller $250,
Julie Hron $200

Our $100 donors:
Stephanie Yoder,
Suzanne Rock,
Chris Walters,
Carol Dunbar,
Denise Gladis,
Janet Ruhr,
Gordon and Linda Lundberg,
Brooke Dolmyer

Other donors:
Kelsey Frank,
Hailey Andersen,
Brooke Leopold,
Debbi Pettersen,
Gwyn Bertocki,
Dana Jansen,
Rachel Beach,
Cherylanne Williams,
Stacey Starrett,
Stephen Hokanson

Thanks everyone! I hope to share more updates soon!

Send a message to learn more

16/02/2025

We left the tortoises in the heated greenhouse until the extreme cold hit this winter, which they absolutely appreciate! But we pay the price later when the propane needs refilled. The propane bill was nearly $1,000 this time. If anyone can help us with this bill we appreciate it to get us through the winter! The rescue checking account is now down to about $500, which is the lowest it's been in quite a while. We have also had a few long time supporters stop their sponsorship which i understand with job loss etc, but it also puts us in a position to fall behind on bills. Thanks for your help if you are able and willing! There are ways to donate via PayPal or Venmo at the link below! ❤️

https://bigandsmalltortoise.org/sanctuary/one-time-donation/

01/02/2025

Update - Set has been adopted and found a really great home in Montana! Thank you!

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This is a courtesy post! "Set" is a mature male redfoot, who currently lives in Missoula, Montana. I'm not sure how far our audience reaches but I thought we could try to find Set a good home. :)

Set has been with his owner for a long time and is likely 17+ years old. He currently lives with two female redfoots, but the owner feels a bit overwhelmed as they grow and wants to see if there's a home that can provide more space. Ideally we can find Set another redfoot group to join. He is very pretty and healthy! The individual adopting him would need to be local to Missoula or willing to travel there.

If you can help please message, comment and fill out the form linked below. Thanks!
https://bigandsmalltortoise.org/sanctuary/adoption/

23/01/2025

I need some help to get our next project going, and it will be a big and expensive one! My husband and I have personally moved to Boone, Iowa and we would like to move the tortoise rescue out to Boone as well, if possible. We have 7 acres near our new home to build on and I'm asking for referrals to construction firms and builders that can take on this project. I have generated a few AI images of designs I am hoping for (something similar. It's AI, I did my best! ). If you know of someone who does awesome work and is easy to work with for building pole barns, please let me know or comment with their info below!

As for the Ames Nursery location, I have been super super appreciative to use the space thus far. It has allowed us to grow and has been a wonderful stepping stone for the organization. I am forever grateful. I hope to either keep renting it ourselves and maintain two locations, Boone for sanctuary residents/programs and Ames for drop-offs/adoptions. OR we will mentor another tortoise/turtle keeper to start their own rescue at the Ames Nursery, if possible. The more people in this line of work, the better!

Either way, and whatever the future holds, I am excited, a little scared, and in a time crunch for spring! Thanks in advance!

14/01/2025

This is a courtesy post! Arty is a male Greek tortoise available for adoption to the right home in Dubuque, Iowa. His current owner has done well with him, providing a proper home, vet checked and cured of worms, etc. However they feel he could find a more experienced home.

From my personal experience - Out of all our tortoises, our little male Greek is one of my favorites to just sit and watch. They are small but with a mighty big personality, constantly running around and ramming into things in their way. Sure to make you laugh daily! 🤣

It would be great if those interested could apply for adoption. Please fill out the form linked here and also message me! Thank you!

https://bigandsmalltortoise.org/sanctuary/adoption/

02/01/2025

Update - this tortoise has been adopted. Thanks!

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This is a courtesy post. This is Gilbert, a male russian tortoise looking for a new home in Omaha, NE. The owners have had him for about 4 years but will be moving in a few weeks and cannot take him with. Please if you can provide a good home for him, and can travel to Omaha to pick him up, let me know. The application, if you haven't filled one out already is at the link below. Thank you!

https://bigandsmalltortoise.org/sanctuary/adoption/

23/11/2024

Update - both tortoises have been adopted to two different loving homes :) So happy we were able to find not one, but two great homes. Thank you!!!

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This is a courtesy post for those in Counil Bluffs, IA area! There will be a few more russians I'll post soon as well. So we will need many homes! I know I've been slow to respond to many adoption applications because it's hard to respond to every single one. If you have never gotten responses before it doesn't mean you're denied. Please keep reaching out if you feel you can provide a good home.

Here is a description from the current owners:
🐢Zander and Eliza, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, are looking for new homes. They are currently housed together, but should not be...so they do NOT need to be adopted together.

Zander (the smaller male) is 5-7 years old. He loves digging, climbing, eating, and Eliza (if you catch my drift).

Eliza is a big, bossy girl. She is 8-10 years old. Her favorite things are sitting on their food so Zander can't eat, Hibiscus flowers and dandelions, and her outdoor enclosure.

One 3'x6' enclosure and lights are included with adoption, if you want them (photos available upon request).🐢

Thanks! Please fill out the adoption application at the link below, if you're interested :) please message me here as well (easier to communicate that way)

https://bigandsmalltortoise.org/sanctuary/adoption/

16/11/2024

Thank you to YSS and Annie Boelen for their donations of hydroponic-grown romaine! Sounds like they have a very advanced growing system and a great program there! The kids grew very nice lettuce! I appreciate you letting our tortoises enjoy the leftovers from this great program! 😊

26/10/2024

Update - this tortoise's owner was never found so the finder has taken ownership of her :) (and thankfully so! She was taken to Dr.Ford and found to have a large bladder stone that is being addressed. Glad she found a great home afterall ❤️)

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Found tortoise! This sulcata tortoise was found in Colfax, Iowa. A friend is caring for it at the moment, and wants to find the owner if they're looking! Spread the word, thanks!

23/10/2024

This is a courtesy post!

I've been reluctant to post water turtles again because they just seem to be impossible to rehome. (Which is sad but true) I have a feeling these cute little ones will attract some attention and find a home though. These turtles are a painted turtle and a red bellied cooter turtle. They are located in Clinton, Iowa.

They are super adorable at this size, but of course be aware they're going to grow and will need large tanks and regular cleanings! Ideally, we would like to find someone with outdoor ponds for summer. Please comment or message me if you can provide a home for them.

15/10/2024

Our tortoise vet, Dr. Ford, is moving to a clinic in Spencer, IA. We hope to continue to see her despite the distance, but those in the Okoboji area are very lucky! Check in with Homestead Small Animal Practice soon to see her as part of their new exotics department!

06/10/2024

Post 2 out of 2, photo updates! Sept/Oct 2024 :)

06/10/2024

I try to have my phone on me during chores and snap photos whenever i catch them in cute spots. Lately i have too many photos, so I'll have to share them in two posts. Here's 1 of 2, Aug/Sept 2024! If you don't see your tortoise here check for the next post!

06/10/2024

I have so many photos of the tortoises (and birds) to share as an update soon! But in the meantime I wanted to share some current events.

🐢 First, thank you to my supportive coworkers at Trace Genomics where i work my day job! They helped me make more shirts and even sport them every week at work for "Turtle Tuesday" 😁 Since we have a lot of shirts now, let me know if you'd like to order anything. Tshirts, long sleeve tshirts, sweatshirts, etc

🐢 Ames High Biology class stopped in for a field trip, and I really enjoyed it! I think they did too! You're welcome to come back next year!

And more exciting news to come soon!