The Problem: The Hidden Crisis of Exotic Pet AbandonmentEvery year, thousands of people purchase tiny, quarter-sized turtles?often Red-Eared Sliders, Yellow-Bellied Sliders, or Musk turtles?drawn in by their low prices and cute appearance. But few are told the reality of what comes next.

Within a few years, those tiny turtles grow up to 12 inches long, require expensive 100-gallon aquatic habitats, and can live for 30 to 50 years. Overwhelmed by the size, cost, and long-term commitment, owners frequently give up. Because many of these species are legally classified as invasive, most animal shelters cannot accept them, and releasing them into local waterways is both illegal and disastrous for wild ecosystems.

As a result, thousands of turtles end up abandoned in cruel conditions or left without options.

Our Mission: Rescued Strangers Inc.Rescued Strangers Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to solving this forgotten crisis. We provide a permanent, safe, and enriching sanctuary for unwanted, abandoned, and surrendered non-native turtles that have nowhere else to go.

We believe every animal deserves a lifetime of care, dignity, and space to thrive?regardless of whether human neglect turned them into an "invasive" species.

Where Your Support GoesTaking in a large aquatic turtle is a lifelong financial commitment. Your tax-deductible donation directly funds the high-capacity infrastructure and ongoing care required to keep these animals healthy:

• Pond & Enclosure Construction: Building spacious, predator-proof outdoor ponds and winterized indoor habitats equipped with multi-stage industrial filtration systems.
• Specialized Nutrition: Providing species-appropriate diets, including high-quality pellets, fresh aquatic greens, and live prey items.
• Veterinary & Rehabilitation Care: Medical exams, shell repair, parasite treatments, and specialized care for rescued turtles coming from neglectful conditions.
• Public Education & Advocacy: Educating potential pet owners on the realities of reptile care and preventing the illegal release of invasive species into local watersheds.

Join the Shell-ter MovementThese turtles didn't ask to be bought, and they didn't ask to become "strangers" in human homes. With your help, Rescued Strangers Inc. can give them the lifelong home and care they were promised from the start.

Donate today to support our lifelong residents and help us build a bigger home for the turtles who need us most.