do these look like healthy tortoises??

[katyg]

Right, I have a bit of an update on this. I contacted him and explained nicely what was wrong. He emailed me back saying that they were like that when he got them at 6 months old. He says they are now 5. I'm no expert as some of you know, but I said I thought that they were probably not as young as 6 months old when he got them. I don't know about you lot, but I think they look quite big in the pics? Older than 5 anyway.

Anyhow he says he has removed them from sale, but doesn't say what he will do next with them. I have copied info on care from this site and sent it to him. I also told him that he needs to take them to a vet as they need specialist care. I tried to push him to contact the tortoise trust to see if they would take them, so maybe he will do that.

So maybe a result of sorts? I think he genuinely thought they were supposed to be like that, and is shocked to find out they are ill. Well, that's what I'm hoping anyway.

[Mrs Mental]

Originally Posted by katyg

Right, I have a bit of an update on this. I contacted him and explained nicely what was wrong. He emailed me back saying that they were like that when he got them at 6 months old. He says they are now 5. I'm no expert as some of you know, but I said I thought that they were probably not as young as 6 months old when he got them. I don't know about you lot, but I think they look quite big in the pics? Older than 5 anyway.

Anyhow he says he has removed them from sale, but doesn't say what he will do next with them. I have copied info on care from this site and sent it to him. I also told him that he needs to take them to a vet as they need specialist care. I tried to push him to contact the tortoise trust to see if they would take them, so maybe he will do that.

So maybe a result of sorts? I think he genuinely thought they were supposed to be like that, and is shocked to find out they are ill. Well, that's what I'm hoping anyway.

Ahh well done to you

I was wondering about emailing the TT about this actually but in fairness it does sound like the keeper will hopefully do something about them, poor things.

I'd certainly say they were older than five - difficult to know what to believe aint it really. I'd love to think he'd get them sorted out.

Well done hunny

[khol123]

Thats very strange cos when i emailed him for info on the torts(i was wanting another one and thought the problem was just a problem with a picture but anyway he told me he had had them since babys , he has took the old ad on and put a new ad on with no picture but is same man and same torts cheaper price just a, he is disgusting for doing this
Male Herman Tortoise Cambridge Cambridge other pets for sale

[katyg]

Yes, he said he got them at 6 months old. I doubt they were, but he may have genuinely believed it. It seems that he just wants shot of them. Shame on him as if he didn't know they were ill, he does now. What a pig.
Mrs M, Do you think it's worth passing this info to the tortoise trust? I can't imagine they have any powers to do anything, but maybe they would work with the RSPCA?

[katyg]

I just reported this ad to Gumtree explaining that he is selling animals that he knows to be unfit for sale.

Maybe if all of you clicked on the link above and reported him too? Maybe that would make him feel guilty enough to do something about them, but I somehow doubt it.

[khol123]

i have done it and reported it , cant belive he put another advert on , im sure he will not feel guilty as he done it again after being told the first time , half of me wanted to buy the torts to give them a nice home and try and sort them out but my head ruled me this time(this is very rare im such a soft touch for animals) x

[katyg]

well he has halved the price, but even so, I know what you mean. They probably need expensive medicine (is there any other kind!!) I do feel sorry for them, but also sorry for anyone less than knowledgeable who might actually buy them. They will be getting a whole heap of trouble.

[EVIEMAY]

This is so sad - it needs someone who knows how to keep them and doesn't mind possible future vets bills to take them on.

[Mrs Mental]

Originally Posted by katyg

Mrs M, Do you think it's worth passing this info to the tortoise trust? I can't imagine they have any powers to do anything, but maybe they would work with the RSPCA?

Its certainly worth a shot aint it - doesnt sound like he's going to do anything to help them - I arent sure what the TT could do but Im sure they'll do whatevers in their power to help the poor things

[gtm]

Originally Posted by katyg

Mrs M, Do you think it's worth passing this info to the tortoise trust? I can't imagine they have any powers to do anything, but maybe they would work with the RSPCA?

The TT have no enforcement powers (& I suspect if you asked you'd find they didn't want then) - the RSPCA have a well deserved terrible reputation with Chelonia & frankly they're better off where they are. This isn't an 'Animal Cruelty' matter as far as I can see.