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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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Turtle Hospital/ICU Fundraiser
We are in desperate need of a dedicated turtle hospital/ICU. Right now, the hospital/ICU is set up in the only spare bedroom in our 2-bedroom home, and boy is it full! It's full of turtles, supplies, food, equipment, people, and it also doubles as CMTR's office. We really need something larger, and something stand-alone for our most critical patients...somewhere just for them, where our TV isn't blaring in the other room, where people can drop off injured turtles without having to come inside our house, where volunteers can come and work autonomously without us having to be here when they are here, and somewhere that is set up specific to the needs of these injured turtles we have sworn to help.
So far, we have purchased the building and have started finishing it out (electrical, plumbing, insulating, walls, paint, etc.) but still have a long way to go. We wound up having to contract much of the work out, and then supply prices tripled during the pandemic. So this has cost MUCH more than we thought it would originally. We are really hoping to have this finished by this winter so it's fully operational by the time our busy spring season starts. Any little amount helps, so if you're able to help, there are several ways you can contribute to this cause:
You may donate directly through PayPal at either of the following links:
Instant, but takes a 3% fee: PayPal Direct
No fee, but takes about a month to get to us: PayPal Giving Fund
By check or money order:
Central MS Turtle Rescue
PO Box 1374
Florence, MS 39073
So far, we have purchased the building and have started finishing it out (electrical, plumbing, insulating, walls, paint, etc.) but still have a long way to go. We wound up having to contract much of the work out, and then supply prices tripled during the pandemic. So this has cost MUCH more than we thought it would originally. We are really hoping to have this finished by this winter so it's fully operational by the time our busy spring season starts. Any little amount helps, so if you're able to help, there are several ways you can contribute to this cause:
You may donate directly through PayPal at either of the following links:
Instant, but takes a 3% fee: PayPal Direct
No fee, but takes about a month to get to us: PayPal Giving Fund
By check or money order:
Central MS Turtle Rescue
PO Box 1374
Florence, MS 39073
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Above are photos of the inside of our current Turtle Hospital/ICU. It's extremely crowded in there, and the turtles deserve so much better.
And this is a photo of the new, un-finished building. It is a 12x16 Tuff Shed building that we will customize for a perfect hospital environment for the turtles.
As of August 16, 2021, we've gotten the electrical, insulation, and drywall complete. Still a long way to go, but we're getting there!
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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. |
Has a Turtle Emergency Brought You Here?
Start here:
COVID 19 Information
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Please click here to see important COVID 19 information affecting our ability to pickup and deliver turtles, and rules pertaining to visitors at our facility. |
We're now on Instagram!
Check Out All The CMTR Fundraiser Items!
We have several items available for purchase. 100% of the proceeds go to the turtles that are in our care.
 I Stop For Turtles Decals
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Turtle Bracelets
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Personal Silicone Straws
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Joshua Petersen Art
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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! |
Sponsor a Turtle
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Most of you have seen the photos of the injured, the sick, and the abused turtles we take in. Many of you have expressed interest in helping financially with a specific turtle that touched your heart. Well, we've developed a way for you to do just that. You can now sponsor a turtle with us. Your sponsorship donation helps to cover the food, housing, and medical costs for the turtle you choose. We have 4 levels of sponsorship available for you to choose from, and you can even donate your sponsorship in someone else's name as a gift.
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and all donations are tax-deductible. Sponsoring a turtle is a great way to get involved when you are unable to foster or adopt. |
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We Are Officially a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Rescue
GREAT NEWS! As of January 1, 2017, we are officially 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!
Like us on Facebook to stay up to date on whats new at our rescue.
Like us on Facebook to stay up to date on whats new at our rescue.
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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!
We've Been in the News!
Our rescue has caught the interest of several news organizations. If you are interested in reading the articles, check out our Articles About Us! page to see what they had to say.
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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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