November 22, 2024 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

Video Shows Officer-Involved Shooting Outside SMPD Station

November 22, 2024

November 22, 2024

Officials Have Issued a Viewer Advisory, Cautioning That the Material May Be Distressing The Santa Monica Police Department has released...

Donate Blood and Save Lives at Culver City Fire Station This Weekend

November 22, 2024

November 22, 2024

Get a T-Shirt, Gift Card for Participating in the Cedars-Sinai Blood Drive The Culver City Rotary Club, in collaboration with...

LAPD Motorcycle Officer Hospitalized After 405 Freeway Crash in Sepulveda Pass

November 21, 2024

November 21, 2024

Collision Near Skirball Center DrivePossibly Involving a Tesla Caused Major Traffic  The 405 Freeway was the scene of a motorcycle...

Santa Monica Police Release Body Cam Footage of Deadly Force Incident Outside Headquarters

November 21, 2024

November 21, 2024

Graphic Video Shows a Violent Assault on an SMPD Officer by a Knife-Wielding Suspect The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD)...

Breakaway Café Opens New Venice Location with Beachside Grab-and-Go Window

November 20, 2024

November 20, 2024

Bayse Brothers Bring Their Signature Breakfast Dishes and Good Vibes to Venice Breakaway Café, a popular breakfast and lunch eatery...

Last Minute Additions to the Best Thanksgiving 2024 Feasts and Pies To Go

November 20, 2024

November 20, 2024

If Other Faves are Sold Out, Here’s All The Quality Places to Try Now Celebrity chefs Susan Feniger and Mary...

Everytable’s Holiday Meal Collaboration To Support LA’s Unhoused Youth

November 20, 2024

November 20, 2024

Chef Created Thanksgiving Meal Benefits My Friend’s Place. Everytable, the mission-driven company committed to making scratch-cooked, nutritious meals accessible to...

Los Angeles City Council Codifies Sanctuary Protections for Migrants with New Citywide Ordinance

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

Mayor Bass Prioritized the Ordinance after Trump’s Mass Deportation Threats The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to officially...

The Palms Community Council’s Executive Committee Schedules Special Meeting for Nov. 20

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

Meeting to Address Open Board Positions and Committee Updates The Executive Committee will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, Nov....

Hammer Museum Presents 10th Edition of MoMA Contenders: Screenings, Conversations with Top Filmmakers

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

Lineup Features Films by Steve McQueen, Sean Baker, and Brady Corbett The Hammer Museum will host the 10th edition of...

Film Review: Wicked

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

By Dolores Quintana Director John Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In The Heights) has crafted an effervescent take on the blockbuster...

Randy’s Donuts Arrives in Culver City with Free Donuts and a $250 Gift Card Giveaway

November 19, 2024

November 19, 2024

Grand Opening on November 19 Includes Sweet Giveaways Starting at 6:00 a.m. The time is finally here. Randy’s Donuts is...

Nicole Nagel’s Futuristic Eric Moss Designed Brentwood Home To Hit Auction Block

November 18, 2024

November 18, 2024

The Spaceship-Like Property Heads to Auction With No Reserve in December German actress Nicole Nagel, who was part of the...

LA Controller Kenneth Meija: City Left $513 Million of Homelessness Budget Unspent

November 18, 2024

November 18, 2024

Inefficiencies Blamed for Underspending Despite Record Allocation in FY2024  The City of Los Angeles hasn’t spent over half of its...

West LA College Expands Zero-Cost Textbook Programs with $600K Grant

November 18, 2024

November 18, 2024

College Aims for 50 Zero-Cost Textbook Programs by 2025  West Los Angeles College (West) is expanding its zero-cost textbook program...