About Us

American Tortoise Rescue is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1990 to provide for the rescue, rehabilitation, protection, and adoption of all species of tortoise and turtle. We offer permanent sanctuary to abandoned and lost tortoises, as well as to those that are confiscated by law enforcement and require temporary housing or adoption to good homes. Special needs turtles and tortoises that cannot be placed stay in the care of American Tortoise Rescue for the remainder of their lives.

American Tortoise Rescue also acts as a national clearinghouse for information about the care, feeding, and rehabilitation of endangered and captive-bred tortoises. In addition, we work to abolish "live market" slaughter of turtles, the illegal sale of hatchlings and turtles under four inches, the cruel importation and exportation of a variety of species. We also work to protect the desert tortoise from collectors, off-road vehicles, and loss of habitat. You can read more about immediate threats in Turtles in Danger.

Achievement Highlights

Since its inception, American Tortoise Rescue has rescued well over 3,000 turtles and tortoises of all species with 70 percent being land tortoises and the remainder water turtles. While we have an active adoption program, the in-house population "floats" at about 125.

Our other achievements include:

• Implementing a national campaign to stop the sale of a specific species of tortoise called sulcatas, which are being mistreated and sold illegally throughout the U.S.
• Helping to stop the cruel sale of turtles and other exotic animals in an section of Los Angeles called Santee Alley. Because of our video presentation before the Animal Control Commission, officers now continually monitor the situation and make arrests.
• Stopping the cruel sale of water turtles in Chinatown in Los Angeles. These animals were kept in unsanitary, cruel conditions including upside down, without food, water, or shade.
• Creating a campaign called Turtle Ambassadors to teach awareness among school children about turtles and tortoises.
• Developing a national campaign to stop the sale of reptiles in pet stores.
• Producing a series of videos about turtles and tortoises, which is distributed to media and other places with large audiences.

Our History

Located in Malibu, CA, American Tortoise Rescue was founded by Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson, a husband and wife team, whose avocation is fostering humane treatment of all animals and reptiles. They decided to devote their free time to the rescue of these gentle creatures after adopting two captive-bred desert tortoises hatchlings. The sanctuary has expanded rapidly as people all over the world have heard of our work.

Co-founder Marshall Thompson with Hercules.

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