Turtle Rescue and Rehoming

Turtle Rescue and Rehoming Rescue, rehabilitation, adoptions, advice on turtle care. ChCh, New Zealand. Donate or volunteer Rescue, re-homing and advice on caring for turtles.

Based in Christchurch, New Zealand.If you need help and advice with a sick turtle, let us know! Many turtles are available for adoption. Donations ( with tax receipt) to Nature by Design Ltd * Ref TurtleRescue* 02-0828-0091088-083. You need to email Donna with your name and address so you can receive a receipt. OR ANZ "Turtle Rescue" 010798 0096119 00 if you don't need tax receipt. All donations gratefully received. Volunteers needed to help with tank maintenance etc. 021 2020 185

There's always lots happening at Turtle Rescue :) Here's a wee snapshot from the past few weeks.
25/04/2026

There's always lots happening at Turtle Rescue :) Here's a wee snapshot from the past few weeks.

The turtles and I went to Nova Montessori School in New Brighton a couple of weeks ago for a visit. The children were ve...
15/04/2026

The turtles and I went to Nova Montessori School in New Brighton a couple of weeks ago for a visit. The children were very interested in everything I had to show them and talk about, and the turtles were settled while we were there. I choose specific turtles that I know will not become overly stressed or try and bite. :) It's a lot of work, but a great opportunity to educate the next generation on turtle care, how big they can grow, how long they live and the problems they cause when released into the wild. Check out the pics of the Green sea turtle shell (yes it's very old and legal), turtle eggs, Skeleton, x-rays of turtles with eggs inside of them, and different species of turtles for the children to touch and watch. :)

Lily has really gone all out this past summer with growing her green camouflage hair do and coat! The Australian Painted...
05/04/2026

Lily has really gone all out this past summer with growing her green camouflage hair do and coat! The Australian Painted turtles (Emydura subglobosa) grow algae on their shells primarily for natural camouflage to blend into their freshwater environment. This harmless green 'hair algae' forms because the turtle's shell provides a stable surface for spores found in the water, which then photosynthesize while the turtle basks or floats on the waters surface. It allows the turtles to look like aquatic plants or rocks, providing a protective covering from predators like crocodiles! It's often more common on turtles that move or bask less. Toodles and Flash are much more active and bask more frequently than Lily. This past summer out in their pond, Toodles only grew a faint patch of algae over part of her carapace, Flash grew none at all, and Lily turned into a fluffy green ball of algae! Since moving them inside for winter, a large amount of algae has already come off her. I think her hair style is fabulous lol! (Hard to get a clear pic on a very fast swimming turtle!)

UPDATE: All sorted, he's now here in his own 1.5 m tank and is a very big boy with a 20cm shell length! And I can vouch...
25/03/2026

UPDATE: All sorted, he's now here in his own 1.5 m tank and is a very big boy with a 20cm shell length! And I can vouch that he has a REALLY strong bite! OUCH lol!!! TRANSPORT NEEDED: Can you help transport an adult, male Red Eared Slider Turtle from either North Canterbury or Woodend Stock feeds to me at Turtle Rescue in Somerfield, Christchurch over the next couple of days or the weekend? Sadly the wee fella was abandoned at the North Canterbury stockfeed place due to fighting with another turtle. He's safe at the moment, but we need to get him into a suitable tank soon. Please contact me on 021 2020 185 if you can help and I'll pass on the contact details for Alex as she is caring for him for now. 021 2020 185 Pic for attention

URGENT: Can you help these 2 female turtles? They're urgently looking for a new home. Can come with their tank but it's ...
20/03/2026

URGENT: Can you help these 2 female turtles? They're urgently looking for a new home. Can come with their tank but it's very small, especially for 2 females.
Located in Castlecliff Whanganui. This is not a suitable turtle home, but the current people have taken them on from others and realise they need a proper home URGENTLY. If you can help, contact me on 021 2020 185 or message me for the current owners contact number. Thank-you :)

TURTLE RESCUE OPEN DAY: The Open Day between 1pm and 3.30pm last Sunday was a huge success, despite the grey day. I had ...
07/03/2026

TURTLE RESCUE OPEN DAY: The Open Day between 1pm and 3.30pm last Sunday was a huge success, despite the grey day. I had to make last minute changes to where things would be placed for display due to the uncertainty of if it would pour with rain or not! Mozzie was in a dry pond in the kitchen for pats and visitors were able to go into the lounge to see the Longnecks in their tank. Pond turtles were still visible, but weren't out basking due to the lack of sunshine. The 10 Volunteers throughout the 2.5hr period were fantastic, making the visitors feel welcome and talking about turtle care and requirements. 142 visitors in just over 2 hours and $288.50c raised for the work of Turtle Rescue. Thank-you Christchurch, you're fabulous!
Michelle took lots of pics as well....which I've just managed to add to the post. Thanks everyone for all that you did for the turtles at Turtle Rescue and rehoming :)

AMAZING afternoon! Despite the cold day, there were 142 visitors and $288.50c raised for Turtle Rescue. 10 wonderful hel...
15/02/2026

AMAZING afternoon! Despite the cold day, there were 142 visitors and $288.50c raised for Turtle Rescue. 10 wonderful helpers braved the cold and the turtles were fabulous as always :) The rain basically held off right till the end and it was a very successful afternoon with lots of happy people enjoying the turtles.

TURTLE RESCUE OPEN DAY
Sunday March 1st. From 1 until 3.30pm.
Come and visit the turtles! Spend some time enjoying the pond areas, gardens, 4 species of turtles, some fish, froglets and interesting stuff like turtle skeleton, eggs and sea turtle shells!
Penrith Ave, Somerfield, off Selwyn and Strickland Streets. Look for the big Turtle Rescue Banner near the Selwyn Street end.
Koha entry and you'll need to sign in for Health and Safety requirements.
Come and support the work of Turtle Rescue here in Christchurch....and enjoy a summers day with the turtles! 🐢🐢🐢

Relaxing on Waitangi Day.Valletta! I just love that cute wee tail bunched up there as she hangs out on the basking platf...
06/02/2026

Relaxing on Waitangi Day.
Valletta! I just love that cute wee tail bunched up there as she hangs out on the basking platform. She doesn't usually show off this much of her plastron, but she clearly has the angle right for some interesting views today! :) :) :)

A new ornament has created lots of interest in the Eastern Long Necks tank :) It looks like rough coral, but it's actual...
04/02/2026

A new ornament has created lots of interest in the Eastern Long Necks tank :) It looks like rough coral, but it's actually plastic and very smooth. It's hollow so it fills up with water to keep it sitting on the bottom of the tank. Dora was particularly taken with it....spending ages draped around it and 'poking' at it with her head. The glare on the tank made it difficult to get some good pics, but you get the idea lol! :)

URGENT: Female Reeves turtle found in Buxton Rd, Whanganui. Found in a dried up drainage ditch, but could have come from...
30/01/2026

URGENT: Female Reeves turtle found in Buxton Rd, Whanganui. Found in a dried up drainage ditch, but could have come from anywhere when water was flowing. Area is semi-rural. Turtle currently safe with the finder, but seeking the owner or someone with turtle experience who can take it for now. Please contact me, (Donna) on 021 2020 185 for the finders details.
Pic of one of my Reeves for attention:

Turtle found in Taylor Street, Blockhouse Bay. Owner needs to show proof of ownership. Contact 021 2020 185 and I'll pas...
26/01/2026

Turtle found in Taylor Street, Blockhouse Bay. Owner needs to show proof of ownership. Contact 021 2020 185 and I'll pass on the finders number for you. :) Pic of my dog helping me fold all the turtle towels for attention :)

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Somerfield
Christchurch
8024

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+64212020185

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