Big and Small Tortoise Rescue and Sanctuary

13/12/2025

Some sulcatas up for adoption in Des Moines at Spocks.

12/12/2025

I am regularly asked to help with aquatics, but I just did not have an ability to do much thus far. So one thing I requested for our future property is a pond! And it just so happened a little ravine on the land with a tile line feeding it was easy to convert into a pond thanks to Stroud Dirt Works who came up with the idea to add a dam at the ravine opening. It turned out great!

It does not look like much now, but hey, it's already filling up! And once it's completely filled and landscaped in springtime, it will be a perfect paradise for turtles. It will eventually be surrounded by a non-climable fence so turtles that can survive Iowa winters are welcome. It should have the proper depth (14+ feet), and I am figuring out all the other requirements to ensure proper aeration at depths for best overwintering success. Where do you even buy aquatic plants native to Iowa? 🤔 And what are good hatcheries to get native stock fish? If you know anything about ponds or can give advice on landscaping it, feel free to share!

Next thing for the property is to get back to planning the actual building, which feels so overwhelming. My ideas and design have changed a zillion times! When you need something with a very specific use and want it to be perfect, it takes a lot of planning! Well at least the pond was simple! 😁

11/12/2025

This young buck😂, Carlos (now Julio) is back up for adoption! He is a male cherryhead or redfoot tortoise who was adopted out to a good home this past summer. Unfortunately Julio is a little too excited to meet females 😆🫣 which is causing stress to their tortoise group. Most mixed redfoot groups do really well, and I expect Julio will calm down once he matures a bit more. But at the moment he is a bit intense. So it would be best to find a new home for Julio that can keep him separately at least for the indoor season. He is located in the Ames area. Please submit an application for him And reach out to me via messenger. Applications get lost in my inbox so dont be afraid to reach out if you've seemingly been ignored. Thank you!

Application is here-
https://bigandsmalltortoise.org/sanctuary/adoption/

03/12/2025

Thank you to those that already donated for giving Tuesday *or Wednesday*!! 😁 I failed to make a post yesterday but wanted to say thank you for those who donated anyways, and to say if anyone else wants to donate, it's appreciated. There is always a need. (Link to donate below by PayPal or venmo).

We run the facility pretty lean and sponsorships generally get us by with very slim margins, but the extra donations are always appreciated for projects, or this time year its mostly spent on propane! Its getting colder! So last week and this week involves bringing all the tortoises indoors thanks to this lovely snow storm and frigid temps coming tonight!! But to my surprise (sarcasm 😆), they grow quite a bit each year and big guys are outgrowing their indoor boxes. So we are adapting to build pens on the floor. In the past, I have been against floor pens because it's colder and drafty. I have done something similar in the past (photos shared here), when we temporarily helped to house confiscated radiated tortoises and a yellowfoot - that was an odd situation i could share a whole post about 🫣... But for longer term stay on the floor, I want to line the base with thick foam boards since our concrete floor is not insulated. And use secured wooden barriers because large tortoises can easily slide cement blocks across smooth concrete floors.

So thats the recent project and all donations are appreciated! Here's the link! Thanks!

https://bigandsmalltortoise.org/sanctuary/one-time-donation/

24/11/2025

The news of many sulcatas and redfoots, along with alligators, that died at Reptile Gardens recently is heartbreaking. It's shocking to see this happen even at a facility with vast resources and funding. It is a good reminder that everyone should take fire safety seriously as we come into the indoor season! This has always been my number one fear and that is why we replaced all wiring that had been damaged by mice before moving here so it would be safe. We also calculate the power load of our lighting /heating and make sure nothing is overloaded! Its so important to have an understanding of this. We also have all our fixtures secured with screws and wires tucked up neatly so they cannot be caught and yanked down accidentally. We have cameras setup in each pen and many fire extinguishers on sight. But to be honest, if I know I will be gone for a while or far from Ames, the heating elements get turned off. A simulated "cloudy day" is much better than an unattended fire. The most common cause of fires in reptile keeping is electrical overload, fixtures getting knocked down, or proximity of tinder to heating elements. Some things we can do to prevent fires- 1. Make sure to only plug heating elements into the wall (no power strips), 2. Secure heating and lighting fixtures with bolts or screws (please no clamps!), 3. Remove tinder by using a substrate that is low dust or kept moist and blow off or wipe out dust from heating fixtures each season, and 4. If you will be gone for a long time, just turn it off!

22/11/2025

Update - they made it to Ames, thanks for driving them here!

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There are 3 eastern box turtles in Cedar Rapids, Iowa that were surrendered at a Pet store. An employee has them and plans to bring them here. Just getting a head start on the rehoming post.... If anyone is interested in adopting or helping with transportation, please message me! Thanks!

19/11/2025

Such cute photos! This is a courtesy rehoming post. This female hermanns tortoise is looking for a new home in Minneapolis, MN. They think she is about 5 years old. As always, she will need a home that can provide an indoor and outdoor setup (once weather allows). If you are interested please fill out an application at the link below, then message me with any photos or other info to add to your application.

Thanks!
https://bigandsmalltortoise.org/sanctuary/adoption/

17/11/2025

Ever notice the algorithm for your social media feed shows you anything you click on - both good and bad? I click on hunting and trapping stuff because I am outraged and upset. Then it keeps showing me more and more, and fuels the angry/sad cycle! No offense to hunters - I just will never understand the joy of hunting.... I would rather not see it but when I do see it, I cannot help but click and comment 🫣...."JuSt sCrOll bY" ....but I cannot unsee it and it already ruined my Disney-fairytale-with-animal-vibes. 😤 Not cool 😂

I cannot change the world but we can push our theme! Love all animals.... they are not here FOR us, they are here WITH us 🥰 And in my case, I am here for THEM (Slave, etc) 😂

We are back in the greenhouse but still pushing this indoor season back with the mild weather! Prepped the indoor pens for when the time comes, but I am hoping to stay in the greenhouse through December!

16/11/2025

They all have been living in the greenhouse for a few weeks now but the last few days were wonderful and they enjoyed a couple afternoons outside enjoying some sun!

01/11/2025

Took Coco to visit his previous owner at an assisted living facility today. I hope she does not mind me posting because it was quite an experience worth sharing. She was really happy to see Coco again and was proud to show him off to the other residents! 😊 I left her with a note about how much Coco has meant to me and the joy he brings to the sanctuary! Once settled in, he has really been wonderful... I'm not going to lie, I cannot wait to get another cockatoo to join Coco's silly stunts and antics someday ! 😆

31/10/2025

Happy Halloween!

(One of my favorite photos I must reshare on Halloween!)

30/10/2025

Update - Adopted! 🎉

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Two adopters have fallen through so far. Bandit in Cedar Rapids is still looking for a home!

Update - Adopted to an experienced family from my hometown Oregon, Illinois! 🎉

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This is a courtesy post. There is a male hermanns tortoise named Bandit looking for a new home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa!

They say he is 4-5 years and to me, he looks healthy! If you are interested, please apply at the link below. Or if you have filled one out before, let me know!

https://bigandsmalltortoise.org/sanctuary/adoption/