July 27, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” affect treatment of pet turtles, Malibu-based tortoise rescue organization speaks up

 

The tortoise rescue organization asks that parents refrain from buying live turtles for children who will be temporarily won over by the novelty of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." (Thinkstock)
The tortoise rescue organization asks that parents refrain from buying live turtles for children who will be temporarily won over by the novelty of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” (Thinkstock)

With another “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” movie set to hit theaters this week, a Malibu-based tortoise rescue organization urged parents today to refrain from buying live turtles for children impressed by the heroics of the film’s fictional “heroes in a half-shell.”

The founders of American Tortoise Rescue said purchases of pet turtles surged following the release of the original “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” film in 1990, but the turtles are often abandoned when their novelty wears off.

“Unfortunately, children do not realize that real turtles do not fly, perform stunts or do any of the exciting moves fictional movie turtles do,” American Tortoise Rescue founders Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson wrote in an open letter to moviegoers. “Parents, trying to please their children, purchase live turtles which end up languishing in tanks. … Later, the turtles are dumped illegally into rivers and lakes as well as dumpsters, flushed down toilets or relinquished to shelters or overcrowded rescues.”

Tellem and Thompson also said Salmonella-carrying turtles pose an additional risk to young children and infants when kept at home.

“We do not recommend live turtles or tortoises for children under 13 because of Salmonella exposure and because younger children lose interest almost immediately,” Tellem and Marshall wrote.

Peter Messinger, who owns The Aquarium store in Culver City, said that while he expects to see more people asking for turtles, many will be scared off after learning the costs of turtle ownership.

“People will come in and ask for them, probably more because of the movie,” Messinger said. “If you really tell people exactly what they need to take care of a turtle, they don’t buy them.”

Messinger said turtles require a large aquarium as well as a proper filter, heater and light.

“By the time you do all of that, you are spending $500-600 easily,” Messinger said.

According to Messinger, many parents purchase turtles in downtown Los Angeles for as little as $5 and do not realize the additional costs and care requirements for the animal.

“There are much better, much easier pets than a turtle and this comes from somebody who has had turtles my whole life,” said Messinger.

American Tortoise Rescue recommended that instead of purchasing a live turtle, parents should instead buy turtle action figures and toys for their children.

More information on turtle ownership and turtle rescues can be found at www.tortoise.com

Related Posts

LAPD to Conduct DUI Checkpoints Across City This Weekend

July 26, 2025

July 26, 2025

LAPD officials said checkpoint locations are chosen based on areas with high numbers of DUI-related crashes and arrests The Los...

Metro D Line Resumes Today After 70-Day Closure

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The shutdown, which began May 17, enabled Metro to connect the current line to newly built tunnels extending west under...

TODAY: Venice Artbeat Celebrates Community and Supports Local Causes

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The event offers live music, dance performances, live art, food, and storytelling Venice Artbeat, a community-focused festival, takes place on...

Sunset Jazz & Pizza Series Returns to The Lobster

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The series blends jazz from a three-piece house band with handcrafted pizzas and $5 Open Brewing beers  The Lobster’s popular...

Los Angeles Marks Milestone in Youth Sports Enrollment

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

A program has surpassed one million enrollments, providing low-cost and, in some cases, free access to youth and adaptive sports ...

LAHSA Appoints New Interim CEO Amid System Transitions

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The agency is navigating uncertainty following the county’s decision to create a separate homelessness department and shifting federal policy priorities...

Venice Chamber Installs New Board at Community Event

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Representatives from multiple levels of government were in attendance The Venice Chamber of Commerce welcomed its newly elected 2025–26 Board...

Measles Case Confirmed in LA, Officials Urge Vaccination

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Investigators are working to identify potential exposures and assess the risk to others Health officials have confirmed a case of...

In Your Time of Need, Woodlawn Cemetery is Available

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

By Susan Payne  For over 125 years, Woodlawn Cemetery, Mausoleum & Mortuary, wholly owned and operated by the city of...

Going for the throat

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Coach Bill Schuman expects protégé Golda Zahra to hold back nothing  By Linda Chase World famous competitors hire special coaches...

Suspect Arrested in Fatal Brentwood Whole Foods Stabbing, Area to See Increased Police Presence

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

The suspect, initially described as a man in his early 20s wearing dark clothing, fled the scene on foot.  A...

(Video) Seniors Age with Dignity at Wise & Healthy Aging’s Adult Day Center

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

For More Information, Go To Wiseandhealthyaging.org/ Seniors Age with Dignity at Wise & Healthy Aging’s Adult Day Center. For More...

California Reports 13% Drop in Vehicle Thefts in 2024, First Decline Since 2019

July 25, 2025

July 25, 2025

Southern California accounted for 53.21% of thefts, with Los Angeles County alone representing 61.83% of the region’s total California reported...

LAPD Pacific Boosters’ West LA Summer Carnival Takes Place This Weekend

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

The carnival will feature amusement rides for all ages, arcade-style games, and traditional fair food The LAPD Pacific Area Boosters...

Venice Ale House is Now the European-Inspired ‘Venice Beach Club’

July 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

The menu features items like steak frites, crudo, and house-made pizzas, under the direction of Executive Chef James Samuel A...