Re-homing with BATK

From time to time the Association has Tortoises given to it for which good homes are required. Historically Tortoises have been little understood and, therefore kept in inadequate conditions. We will only rehome Tortoises amongst our Members. As long as they guarantee to keep them according to the guidelines set out in the BATK Husbandry booklet.

If you are looking for a Tortoise, the first thing you must do is to become a member of BATK. This is best done by attending an Information Day, then you will have some idea of what is expected from you as well as what we can offer you and your Tortoise.  If you still want to go ahead with Fostering you will need to attend one of the Husbandry Talks in order to make sure that you know how to care for a Tortoise. We do these talks at the Information Days so you can also attend this one.

If you foster a Tortoise under no circumstances can you pass this Tortoise onto a third party. If you can no longer look after it then it has to be returned to BATK.

There are no short cuts, anyone wishing to foster a Tortoise through BATK must meet with our conditions .

Some of the Tortoises we are given for re-homing are not in the best of health, this is usually due to husbandry problems, rather than medical problems. We will explain to you any special requirements that your particular Tortoise need in order to restore it to full health. You will not be given one of these Tortoises unless both you and us are happy with the situation

Some Tortoises are ill, and although this can entail a great deal of time and effort, nursing a sick animal back to health can be very rewarding

If you wish to go ahead with fostering we need a letter confirming this. You will need to write to:- BATK, PO Box 2173, Warwick CV34 6GY

Please state in your letter:-

What breed of Tortoise you are interested in                                                                              

Whether you wish to foster an adult or a juvenile

Whether you have any preferences regarding the sex of the Tortoise. We do ask for male and females to be separated.

If you already have Tortoises, and if so their sex and species.

PLEASE NOTE

TORTOISES SHOULD NOT BE CUDDLED, STROKED OR HANDLED UNNECESSARILY, AND THEREFORE THEY DO NOT MAKE GOOD PETS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. THEY ARE WILD ANIMALS AND AFTER PROVIDING THE CORRECT ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM THEY SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE TO ENJOY IT. THEY ARE FOR WATCHING AND NOT TOUCHING.

BATK usually does have Tortoises to re-home each year. We usually only re-home between the months of April - August, especially Mediterranean Tortoises. April due to the fact that we like to take them out of hibernation and check that they are eating well before going to new homes, and end of August at the latest to enable them to settle before winding down for hibernation.

If you would like to ask any questions about fostering then please go to the contact page and contact our Tortoise Co-ordinator.  Mrs Ann Collins.