Wisconsin Sees Surge in Turtle Surrenders as Owners Underestimate Care Needs

Local pet stores and rescues struggle to rehome turtles as more people realize the long-term commitment required.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:04pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a turtle swimming in a shallow aquarium, with soft, warm pools of light and color surrounding the reptile, conceptually illustrating the challenges of properly caring for exotic pets.The surrender of turtles to local pet stores and rescues in Wisconsin highlights the need for better education on the long-term care required for these exotic pets.Appleton Today

Turtles are increasingly being surrendered to local pet stores and animal rescues in Wisconsin as owners discover the level of care and commitment required to properly care for the reptiles over their decades-long lifespans. Exotic pet store owners say many customers are unprepared for the large habitat, cleaning, and feeding needs of turtles, leading to a high turnover rate as people return the animals they can no longer care for. Animal rescues like J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue report seeing hundreds of surrendered turtles each year as a result.

Why it matters

The growing number of turtle surrenders highlights the need for better education and guidance for potential exotic pet owners, as well as potential policy changes to address the issue. Improper care and abandonment can be detrimental to turtle welfare and the local ecosystem if released turtles are not native species.

The details

Brady Bartel, owner of the Appleton exotic pet store Wild Habitats, says customers often come to his store after buying a turtle at a larger commercial pet store, surprised by the level of maintenance required. Turtles need large habitats and long-term care, which many owners are not prepared to provide. As a result, Bartel says he has seen turtles returned to his store up to four times as owners surrender them. John Moyles, director of the J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue, says his organization sees around 180 surrendered turtles and tortoises come through their doors in a typical year, making them the most commonly surrendered pet. In response, the Wisconsin DNR is introducing a new rule to prohibit the collection of wild turtles and frogs for the pet trade.

  • In a typical year, J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue sees around 180 surrendered turtles and tortoises.
  • The Wisconsin DNR is introducing a new rule to prohibit the collection of wild turtles and frogs for the pet trade.

The players

Brady Bartel

The owner of the Appleton exotic pet store Wild Habitats, who has seen many customers return turtles they purchased at larger pet stores after underestimating the care required.

John Moyles

The director of the J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue, which focuses on finding suitable homes for surrendered pets and reports seeing around 180 surrendered turtles and tortoises come through their doors in a typical year.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“You gotta clean it, feed it and it's not just something you can get rid of for the next 30 or 40 years.”

— Brady Bartel, Owner, Wild Habitats

“In a typical year, we see 180 turtles and tortoises come through our doors.”

— John Moyles, Director, J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue

What’s next

The Wisconsin DNR's new rule prohibiting the collection of wild turtles and frogs for the pet trade is expected to go into effect in the coming months, aiming to address the growing issue of turtle surrenders in the state.

The takeaway

This trend of turtle surrenders highlights the need for better education and guidance for potential exotic pet owners, as well as potential policy changes, to ensure turtles and other reptiles receive proper long-term care. Responsible ownership and rehoming options are crucial to addressing the welfare of these animals.