I need to get rid of my turtle, what should I do?

Question
Hello,

Around last year, my cousin went off to college to she gave me her turtle. Taking care of it was pretty easy, but after it started to get big, it was just too much of a hassle to take care of it. I live in a suburb of Chicago and it's a Red Eared Slider, although I don't think it would make a difference if it was native or not seeing that it has been kept in captivity for over a year and a half. Anyways, my parents want to release it in a pond nearby, but I told them that it could affect the native animals in that area and ect ect. So what should I do? Thank you for your help in advance.

Answer
Hello,
Thank you for not releasing it to the wild, if you need more information for your parents to convince them here is a link all about it (in some states it is illegal to release turtles to the wild):
http://redearslider.com/releasing_turtles.html

One option that I really like is to talk to a local school into taking it in as a class pet, children love turtles and it would be a great class pet, they should be well knowledged on the care though so maybe a middle school rather then a elementary school. Talk to the school office about it. You can maybe donate the tank and all supplies as well.

Another option is put an ad in the local paper under the "free" section or sell it.

Another: http://www.craigslist.org its classified ads online for free, no need for a phone number it goes anonymously through you email, you may need your parents permission or supervision for this, just be sure you have a "rehoming fee" or "adoption fee" that way they dont erase your ad, it doesn't have to be high but maybe just the price of the tank or something.

-talk to friends or family if they are interested

- Try posting on http://www.reptileauctions.com

- Find an animal rescue/adoption place, sometimes an employee at a vets office or the veterinarian him/herself will take it in. Maybe a herp society. If you type in your location and herp society in a search engine and ask around there if anybody can take him, a lot of times they can.


--If you find somebody to take care of your turtle then be sure they know how to care for it. Print out a care sheet or somethign that way you know that the turtle isn't being abused.

Good luck!
-Yexalen