California Desert Tortoise Adoption Application

California Desert Tortoise Adoption Application

Name: ___________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________

Phone (day): _______________________

Phone (night): ___________________________

Type of Residence: [ ] Apartment [ ] House [ ] Other

What type of turtle/tortoise do you wish to adopt: [ ] Desert [ ] Box [ ] Water [ ] Exotic

What size? [ ] Hatchling [ ] Juvenile [ ] Adult What sex? [ ] Male [ ] Female (very rare)

Do you have any other turtle/tortoise? -or- have you ever kept one before? If yes, please describe:

(If you already have a desert tortoise, and you are looking for a "breeding mate," please do not apply.
 Per the California Department of Fish & Fame, a special propagation permit is required to breed
desert tortoise.)

_____________________________________________________________________________

Do you have small children? [ ] Yes [ ] No (Consider the impact of their play in your yard with a tortoise present)

Do you have a dog(s)? [ ] Yes [ ] No What kind? _____________________________________

Jealousy, playfulness or hunting instincts in dogs and other animals may lead them to injure turtles and tortoises. Please consider that to avoid further harassment, injury or death to the turtle/tortoise, you may have to return it.

Will the turtle/tortoise be kept: [ ] inside [ ] outside How big is the area? _____________
(an 11'X14' area is at least needed for an adult)

Do you have a swimming pool? [ ] Yes [ ] No Is it fenced to prevent a tortoise from falling in?
[ ] Yes [ ] No

Is your yard completely fenced (so that the tortoise cannot get out -or- so that other animals cannot get in)?
 [ ] Yes [ ] No What kind of fencing? _______________________________________________________________________________

Wooden or chain-link fences should have a barrier buried in the ground to stop a tortoise from digging out. Chain-link fences should have 24-inch (2 feet) high boards or cinder blocks secured around the base to prevent a turtle/tortoise from seeing through or getting caught in the wire.

Is there a permanent barrier across the base of all gate openings? [ ] Yes [ ] No Does each gate latch securely? [ ] Yes [ ] No

When closed, will dogs be kept out? [ ] Yes [ ] No The barrier should be at least 24-inches (2 feet)
high so that a turtle/tortoise cannot see through or climb over. The barrier should remain in place when
the gate is open or closed.

Are sunny and shady areas and dry soil available to a tortoise at all times throughout the day and year?
 [ ] Yes [ ] No

Is permanently shaded water available that a tortoise can climb in or out of to bathe and drink?
 [ ] Yes [ ] No

The dish should be sunk to ground level. Flat rocks, bricks, or large wood chips placed on the surface
 of soil around the bowl will help keep mud out of the dish.

Is growing grass available for grazing? [ ] Yes [ ] No

Are you familiar with the nutritional needs of the turtle/tortoise? [ ] Yes [ ] No

Do you agree not to use any pesticides, fertilizers or weed killers within reach of the tortoise?
 [ ] Yes [ ] No

Have you considered that you will have to make provisions for the care of the turtle/tortoise while you are away from home on vacation, business, or for long weekends? [ ] Yes [ ] No

Are you aware that your turtle/tortoise may need veterinary care from time to time, and that veterinary care can be expensive?

[ ] Yes [ ] No

Do we have your permission to inspect the area, before the adoption, in which the turtle/tortoise will be kept? [ ] Yes [ ] No

Are you aware of the special protection needed for the California Desert Tortoise as an endangered species? [ ] Yes [ ] No

YOU WILL BE CALLED (AND HAVE 48-HOURS TO RESPOND) WHEN A TURTLE/TORTOISE BECOMES AVAILABLE. ANIMALS ARE PLACED IN THE MOST SUITABLE HOMES. THERE IS A WAITING LIST. PLEASE NOTE THAT MOJAVE DESERT RESIDENCES ARE CALLED FIRST, AS THIS ENVIRONMENT IS MOST DESIRABLE FOR THE HEALTH OF THE DESERT TORTOISES*. YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PICK THE TORTOISE UP FROM THE RESCUE LOCATED IN YUCCA VALLEY. ONCE A PICK-UP TIME IS SCHEDULED, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP THAT APPOINTMENT AND BE PROMPT. A "NO-SHOW" WILL RESULT IN YOUR HAVING TO RE-APPLY. CARE SHEETS AND LICENSING MATERIAL WILL BE PROVIDED UPON ADOPTION. YOU MUST LICENSE YOUR TORTOISE(S). IF YOU DO NOT, THE CDF&G RETAINS THE RIGHT TO SEIZE THE TORTOISE(S). PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOU ARE EVER UNABLE TO CONTINUE TO CARE FOR A DESERT TORTOISE OR IF YOU ARE TO EVER LEAVE THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, THE TORTOISE MUST BE SURRENDERED BACK TO THE RESCUE. OR TO ANOTHER PERMITTED INDIVIDUAL OR FACILITY. PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM COMPLETELY. YOU MUST BE OVER 18 YEARS OLD. BY SIGNING, YOU ARE AGREEING TO ALL THE TERMS OF THE APPLICATION. THE RESCUE RETAINS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE TO ANYONE.

SIGNATURE: ____________________________________________________

DATE: __________________________

Mail this application to: Joshua Tree Turtle & Tortoise Rescue

P.O. Box 1099, Joshua Tree, CA 92252

If you have any questions, please call: (760) 369-1235

*If you live in Los Angeles, please contact the Westchester Chapter of the CTTC at 310-417-8704