Dancing Turtle Rescue and Wildlife Rehab
Animal Help Now (U.S. nationwide)
During my first shamanic journey, I had a vision of a turtle dancing into the night sky, leaving a trail of starlight in his wake. The message I received during that journey was “follow the turtle home.”
In the years after that initial foray into shamanism, I have journeyed many times and developed relationships with several animal guides. Desiring to know more about the animals I was connecting with, I began to study their natural history. Fascinated, I expanded my exploration to all the fauna of the Adirondacks, so I would know those I might encounter while hiking or paddling. It was through this exploration that I discovered wildlife rehabilitation.
A wildlife rehabilitator rescues and cares for injured and orphaned animals until they can return to the wild and live as successful members of their species. When I discovered wildlife rehabilitation, I felt as if I had been led by my turtle guide to an opportunity to bring healing to the animals in my area and give back to the Earth. I was licensed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in 2018. I specialize in the rehabilitation of turtles, honoring my guide, as well as other reptiles and amphibians, plus small mammals such as squirrels and opossums.
The Turtle Bus
My turtle rehabilitation clinic is inside an old, stripped-out school bus, affectionately known as the turtle bus. Dpending on their size and condition, the aquatic turtles that come into my care, such as painted turtles and snapping turtles, are housed in large plastic tubs with heat lamps, glass tanks equipped with filters, basking spots and UV lighting, or large outdoor stock tanks with pond pumps and filters.
Support Wildlife Rehabilitation
Wildlife rehabilitators are volunteers. The cost of housing, medical supplies, and food for the animals in my care can be quite high. You can help me keep needed items on hand by purchasing items from my wildlife rehabilitation wish list on Amazon.com. To contribute to large equipment puchases, such as stock tanks, and help with ongoing expenses, please become a monthly Patreon sponsor. Patreon sponsors have access to exclusive content to follow the journeys of the turtles currently in care from rescue to release.
North Country Wild Care is a network of home-based rehabbers and refuge centers from New York’s capital district to the northern Adirondacks. As a member, I get training, access to knowledgeable and experienced rehabbers, and financial support. North Country Wild Care volunteers staff a 24/7 hotline to address wildlife emergencies and coordinate rescues, transportation, veterinary care, and rehabilitation. Please consider visiting their website and donating towards formula, food, and medications. You do not have to be a licensed rehabilitator to assist us in helping wild animals. We are always in need of hotline staff and transporters. Free training is provided. Information on upcoming trainings and volunteer opportunities is on their website, or join us at our monthly meeting to learn more.
Find a Wildlife Rehabilitator
Outside of the North Country Wild Care area, you can find a licensed rehabilitator on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website, through your state’s wildlife office, or by visiting Animal Help Now for nationwide listings of rehabilitators and rescue organizations.
Wildlife Conservation
I am also an advocate for wildlife protection and conservation, especially through designated wildlife corridors and safe road crossings such as green bridges and tunnels. An estimated 400 million animals are killed by motor vehicle strikes annually in the United States, eliminating otherwise healthy breeding adults who are a vital part of the continuation of their species and the ecosystems in which they are a part. Please support wildlife corridors and safe crossings when they are proposed in your area.
North Country Wild Care wildlife emergency hotline (Albany, Saratoga and the Adirondacks): 518-964-6740
Captive-bred turtles such as red eared sliders are the world’s most abandoned pet. So many have been dumped that they are on New York State’s invasive species list. If you have a pet turtle you cannot keep, please rehome it rather than releasing it. I foster red eared sliders when new homes cannot be found, on a case-by-case basis. Please contact me if you need assistance finding your turtle a new home.
Would you like to give a turtle a forever home? Dancing Turtle has adoptable red eared sliders for qualified carers. Contact me for an adoption application.