Tell Petco to support adoptions and stop the sale of Red-Eared Slider Turtles

Petition Delivered Tuesday 6/2/2015

Red-Eared Slider turtle surrenders:

• 973 - 2010 to 2014 Los Angeles Animal Control
• 618 - 2014 The California Turtle and Tortoise Club 
• 400 - Annually, San Diego Turtle and Tortoise Society
• 300 - Annually, Creepy Critters Rescue
• Nearly 1/3 of the 3,000 turtles saved by American Tortoise Rescue are RES.
• 57 - 2014 Peninsula Humane Society in Northern California.

Reptile rescues are overwhelmed by the nonstop surrender of this species and often must pay for vet care, provide rehabilitation and a lifelong sanctuary to these animals.  The result of RES abandonment can be seen in 2014 during which 113 illegally abandoned, starving and sick Red-eared Sliders were pulled from Overfelt Gardens Park pond in San Jose California. The pond was dying due to the ongoing drought in California. Video of a former pet killed by a predator. Video1 and Video2 of the rescue.  Dead turtles collected over 2 days pic1, pic2 and pic3.  The turtles received medical care and a permanent home at Creepy Critters Rescue, Turtle & Tortoise Rescue of Arroyo Grande and PHS.
We have a RES overpopulation problem.
Each turtles can live up to 40 years, requires an incredible amount of space, special heating, lighting and diet and ideally a secure escape proof and predator proof outdoor pond. Vet care for these animals is expensive and hard to find.  We would like to respectfully invite Petco to take the lead in supporting the adoption of Red-Eared Slider turtles by stopping the sale of these animals.  Please work with local reptile rescues to hold informative presentations where people can learn more and then decide on adoption.

Take it to the next level.  Print out this letter and mail it in with your receipt to show you are a paying customer..  We've made Petco a multimillion dollar business and they need to listen.