Please note, we DO NOT have a shelter. All fostering is done from our homes. Conservation, Education, Adoption. We are an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in February, 1997, directed by concerned hobbyists and professionals, who saw a need to reach out to the public and improve the conditions under which pet turtles and tortoises are kept and try to protect local species and their habitats. We also offer an adoptions program to help displaced or unwanted pet turtles and tortoise find new, loving homes. We are licensed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to find new homes for unwanted and/or non-releasable pet native turtles. More information on MATTS can be found at http://www.matts-turtles.org. The turtles and tortoises available for adoption come from a variety of sources. Some are given up by their owners and some are from animal control facilities and shelters. Pet turtles cannot be released to the wild for a variety of reasons. Since most pet turtles have unknown histories, or were purchased from pet stores, they cannot be released for fear that they have come into contact with non-native animals while being kept as pets. In most states it is illegal to release a pet of any kind, even a turtle, to help protect native species that might be affected by diseases transmitted by non-native animals. Turtles are given up for adoption for many of the same reasons that dogs and cats are offered for adoption. Often the turtle is an impulse purchase, and the turtle is given up when it grows too big and is too hard to care for. Turtles become victims of divorce, children going to college, owners relocating, owners passing away, marriage, and new babies in a home. WARNING: Any reptile has the potential to carry salmonella. Always wash hands after handling a turtle or touching any equipment that comes into contact with the turtle or the enclosure. PLEASE NOTE: MATTS CANNOT adopt out-of-country. We DO NOT export. Please review care information before considering a turtle. Here\"s a great book on aquatics, and it can be downloaded for free https://www.lulu.com/shop/richard-lunsford/captive-care-of-north-american-water-turtles/ebook/product-17551523.html For box turtles, visit http://www.boxturtlefacts.org/Articles.html and https://nebula.wsimg.com/53c57892d611153a60ef8bde1be11925?AccessKeyId=A3E784782F81D21389AD&disposition=0&alloworigin=1 Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/groups/482605595440/ Like turtles but can\"t have one? Want to help? Share the profiles of our turtles on social media. Email matts_adoptions@hotmail.com to request educational flyers to share on social media. MATTS accepts tax-deductible donations at MATTS, P.O. Box 341, Highland, MD 20777, or through PayPal at http://www.matts-turtles.org/support.html. Rescue is funded by donations only, and we find homes for over 100 turtles and tortoises a year, as well as an occasional snake, lizard, or frog.