Please help find a good home in Washington State for Snappy!

This is the hardest post I've ever had to write.

I found out not long ago that Common Snapping Turtles are prohibited in the state of Oregon. I tried to bury my head in the sand about it, but after several articles have come in local newspapers about them being invasive species, I started to get nervous.

You see, Snappy has been our beloved school pet for five years.

My biggest fear is that some Fish and Wildlife agents would show up at the school and haul Snappy off to be killed. So today I called the ODFW to inquire about getting a permit. The news I got was discouraging, to say the least.

I feel the only option I have that guarantees Snappy's safety is to get him out of state as soon as possible.

A few details about him: (her? I really don't know)

Size: Carapace about 12" long x 10" wide, about 9 pounds
Diet: 95% floating turtle sticks (what could be easier), 5% anything else.
Temperature: about 75 degrees
He has never basked at all, for years I kept a rock-pile in his tank, but he never used it so I removed it.

Snappy has been captive raised since he was a tiny hatchling. He is fairly tame, he doesn't try to bite me when I pick him up, but I certainly wouldn't give him a chance. He tolerates fish well, he has several goldfish and guppies that he lives with that were supposed to be food. That said, I would definitely not trust him with any fish you care about.

I would drive him anywhere in Washington, but if you live on the East side maybe we could meet in the middle. If more than one person responds, I will have to figure out a way to decide. This is a truly exceptional turtle, and comes with your very own copy of the "OPERATION: SAVE SNAPPY" video showing his life-saving endoscopic exam. (see thread below)

Thank you.

Dan Feller

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=115383&highlight=snappy

evilxyardxgnome;1967600; said:

Maybe you can do something with the law for educational purposes?

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I've talked with a few people that have been down that road. It ended with the turtles being euthanised at the Portland Zoo...

I'm getting him out of the state before somebody shows up looking for him. They are mailing me an application for a permit, but I'm afraid they may come confiscate him before I even get a chance to apply.

As far as I can tell, the only legal option that is sure to keep him alive is to get out of the state of Oregon. Looks like a road trip soon!

Miguel;1967659; said:

I am sorry dan. Such a beautyfull Chelidra.

I would remind you, however, that you do not live in Afghanistan.. If the authorities said ( or did they write also? an e mail for instance? ) they were sending you the permit form, I simply do not believe that them showing up to aprehend the turtle is a possibility.

Also, you're not just and individual. The turtle is in a school, for God's sake. It is "schools property" ( for due purposes )...

I sincerely feel that you are over reacting. I am sure the authorities will wait for you to go through the permit burocracy.

Have you kept the name of the person who said that the form was being sent to you?

( excuse me, but this is the lawyer I carry inside speaking )

I would wait things out. Don't give up on the turtle just yet.

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Thanks for the encouragment, but I still plan to find him a home elsewhere. The main reason is that if I do fail to be approved, they will absolutely come and take him away. I can't risk that. Plus, she said that my having "illegal possession" of the turtle will hurt my chances of being approved. The ODFW has made some very controversial seizures of animals over the past few years and I don't want this to become another.

I supposse if I did "qualify" (whose decision, anyways?) for a permit I could possibly get him back, but a turtle breeder out of Eugene told me the chances were slim to none...