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The Central MS Turtle Rescue was founded in 2013, born from the passion and dedication of two people who recognized the need for a qualified turtle rescue facility in Mississippi. We provide rescue and rehabilitation for injured, sick, abused, neglected, or abandoned turtles and tortoises.
Our goal is to release all native, wild rehabilitated turtles back to their natural environment. Turtles that are not native to MS or are unable to be released to the wild are re-homed through adoption to qualified applicants or remain in our care to safely live out their lives. We also provide education to the public about turtle conservation, and provide pet turtle owners with education about proper husbandry, diet, and medical care. We are authorized wildlife rehabilitators under an Administrative Rehabilitation Permit through the MS Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. |
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We Are a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
In anuary 1, 2017, we officially became a nonprofit organization in the State of Mississippi, recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt charitable organization. This means that all donations made to our charity are tax-deductible for you! So, please consider making a donation today. Every penny helps! Click here if you'd like to donate!
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UPDATE 1/1/25: Founder and Director, Christy Milbourne, is officially CANCER FREE and is finished with all treatments! We are slowly reopening the Rescue to normal operations and hope to be fully back to "business as usual" by the time turtles wake up in Spring 2025! THANK YOU ALL for your patience, as well as your prayers and well wishes over the last year and a half! Tough Like a Turtle!!! |
Has a Turtle Emergency Brought You Here?
Start here:
What's New?
New Facilities in North AND South Mississippi!
We have added a couple of volunteers who will be taking in turtles in north and south Mississippi. To do this properly, they both need help constructing or repurposing buildings on their properties and they'll need to purchase supplies to outfit those buildings. During 2025, we will have a strong focus on getting those two rehabbers up and running. Stay tuned for some great fundraisers, but in the meantime, if you'd like to donate, you can do so below.
Fundraiser - "The Nature of Love" by Carrie Moyers
CMTR's own Northern Branch Director, Carrie Moyers, has written and published a book of poetry, inspired by the battle with breast cancer that our organization's Executive Director, Christy Milbourne, went through in 2023/2024. She has decided to donate 25% of all sales to funding our new turtle hospital in north Mississippi!
Get your copy here:
Get your copy here:
We're on Facebook!
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Like us on Facebook to stay up to date on the turtles we are helping, whats new, and any new fundraising campaign. |
We're on Instagram!
2020 Rankin's Best of the Best Top 5 Nominee
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THANK YOU!! Thank you to everyone who nominated and/or voted for us in 2020's Rankin's Red Carpet Best of the Best Awards. What a humbling and amazing experience that was for us! We are so grateful to be recognized by the outstanding citizens of Rankin County! |
Best of 2017 Awards
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Our rescue and our executive director, Christy, were selected as the Reptile Report's Reader's Choice Honorable Mention in the category of Chelonia Personality of the Year. We were honored to have been nominated alongside names such as Chris Leone, Anthony Pierlionni, Steve Enders and others who have been such an influence to us in our passion for turtles, and an inspiration for our desire to help them. Thank you to all who voted for us in both the Chelonian Personality of the Year and Community Service of the Year categories. It is both humbling and flattering to know that so many of you support what we do! |
Do You Want To Help Us Help Turtles?
Check out our How You Can Help page to see the various ways you can help us help turtles in need.
All expenses incurred toward these rescues, including fuel, equipment, housing, food, and medical expenses are paid for entirely through fundraisers and donations from people like you. We help hundreds of turtles at our facility, and the expenses can be overwhelming. If you would like to make a donation to help with the many costs involved in caring for the turtles in need, you may do so by clicking on the PayPa Giving Fund link below. All donations are tax-deductible and PayPal will provide you with a receipt. All donations are tax-deductible. We welcome and give thanks for any amount you can give. Thank You!
All expenses incurred toward these rescues, including fuel, equipment, housing, food, and medical expenses are paid for entirely through fundraisers and donations from people like you. We help hundreds of turtles at our facility, and the expenses can be overwhelming. If you would like to make a donation to help with the many costs involved in caring for the turtles in need, you may do so by clicking on the PayPa Giving Fund link below. All donations are tax-deductible and PayPal will provide you with a receipt. All donations are tax-deductible. We welcome and give thanks for any amount you can give. Thank You!
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I am a turtle.
I think, I feel, I survive. I am not disposable. I am not a second-class animal simply because I cannot fetch, roll over, or shake hands. Cold-blooded does not mean I do not feel pain or fear. I am a life, and my life is precious. I am a turtle. --Christy Milbourne, June 2011 |
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