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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 rehabilitated turtles back to their natural environment. Turtles that are not native to MS or are unable to be released to the wild are rehomed through adoption to qualified applicants or remain in our care to safely live out their lives. 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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Like us on Facebook to stay up to date on the turtles we are helping, whats new, and any new fundraising campaign.
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What's New?
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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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A hearbreaking rescue...
On Friday, Sept. 08, 2017, we got a frantic message from an animal shelter in West Memphis, AR. A man, looking for scrap metal behind an Asian restaurant (that had been closed by the health department two weeks prior) found a washing machine and figured it was fair game. When loading it on his truck, he realized it wasn't empty. He opened it and found it was full of turtles! He got them to a local shelter for care. These are Mississippi Diamondback Terrapins, Malaclemys terrapin pileata. This is a very unique species in that they do not live in fresh water; they are found in brackish water (part freshwater/part saltwater) along the gulf coasts and marshes of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas (not in Arkansas). The Memphis shelter was advised to contact a Mississippi entity to take the turtles, and that's where we came in. Click here... to read their full story.
Every one of these magnificent creatures are sick with respiratory infections and fungus. Of the 19, only 12 have survived. We will fight to the end to save the remaining 12, but it's going to be a long road for them. No animal deserves to be treated this way!
Their care is not cheap. These turtles need specialized care, food and habitats.They are all receiving antibiotics as well as receiving anti-fungal soaks in the hopes of clearing up their skin and shell infections.
Our rescues finances are being stretched to the very limit. If you can help in any way ... any amount ... it would be greatly appreciated! Visit our Donate page to see the various ways you can help us continue to help these magnificent creatures.
Every one of these magnificent creatures are sick with respiratory infections and fungus. Of the 19, only 12 have survived. We will fight to the end to save the remaining 12, but it's going to be a long road for them. No animal deserves to be treated this way!
Their care is not cheap. These turtles need specialized care, food and habitats.They are all receiving antibiotics as well as receiving anti-fungal soaks in the hopes of clearing up their skin and shell infections.
Our rescues finances are being stretched to the very limit. If you can help in any way ... any amount ... it would be greatly appreciated! Visit our Donate page to see the various ways you can help us continue to help these magnificent creatures.
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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