Is It Legal to Own a Tortoise in Canada

In 2015, Pierre Paradis, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the Government of Quebec, tabled Bill 54 in the National Assembly. The bill sought to amend the Civil Code so that animals are not «things» but sentient beings, to implement the law to improve the legal situation of animals, and to provide for prison sentences for cruelty to animals. [13] At the meeting, Mr. Paradis stated that the bill would harmonize the laws of Quebec with those of British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario, which have some of the strictest animal welfare laws in Canada. He also stressed the need for all those responsible for animals, whether domestic or farmed, to take care of them. He suggested the legislation was intended to end Quebec`s reputation as a haven for «puppy mills.» [14] This may be the worst reason to buy a turtle or a turtle. This means that your heart is not really in it and you will not take all the necessary steps to take care of this pet in need. Instead of following the vet`s advice and putting him in a closed tank until he was larger, I took him home to his old pen. The turtle died a few days later. I am a turtle and turtle lover. Although I have tried many times to keep these beautiful animals, I have failed miserably. Learn from my mistakes. People will bring them here when they move into the province without realizing they are illegal.

Sometimes pet turtles are released into a body of water to fend for themselves. There are no regulations for the importation of reptiles and amphibians, with the exception of turtles and turtles, which require an import permit from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Pet turtles and turtles must be owned by the owner in the country of origin and accompany the owner to Canada. Permits for turtles and turtle eggs are issued only to zoos and research laboratories. What a terrible and careless pet owner, without common sense. That being said, I hope this article serves to deter similar people from preserving and possibly killing turtles/turtles. Excellent question Bella! It`s different for each species! I would Google the type of turtle or species of turtle and do some searches from there. Before reading the reasons why you should not have a turtle or a turtle, I would like to emphasize that I speak as someone who was convinced that he had the means and the environment to keep such a wonderful pet. As mentioned above, even the smallest turtles and turtles need a lot of square meters to live happily.

Many turtles also need an aquatic and terrestrial environment, a place where they can dry themselves completely. I have a turtle and it`s the simplest pet I`ve ever had to take care of. While I agree with some of the statements, the best thing is to study and learn only if you know what you are doing, they are easy to maintain. My Russian turtle is kept in a terrarium and let out once a week to train. It is perfectly acceptable to keep a turtle in an aquarium or terrarium if it is of sufficient size. You don`t need to have an outdoor enclosure to have a healthy turtle! As long as you take them outside in hot weather, you`ll be fine. But you are right, you should buy NEVERRRRR another turtle or turtle. Looks like you`ve killed enough -Sometimes sometimes you forget that turtles and turtles are two different animals I love turtles, so I`ll look to get one, but I`ll be very careful and take care of it, I have 2 turtles and they don`t take much to take care of them like this article says. Of course, like any animal, they need care, but not as it seems. I`ve had them for 2 years now and they`ve never needed so much care, never had to go to the vet or never had a mouse to eat. The only thing I have to do all the time is make sure to clean up the food they don`t eat so the tank doesn`t get dirty, give them water, and sometimes take them outside. Also just to add something else, I have a dog and he doesn`t try to eat them, I let the turtles run around the house, he will sniff them and run away.

I`m pretty sure he`s more afraid of them than he`s afraid of him. I hold them, my turtles love the affection I give them, some people say, «They`re turtles, how do they feel,» but in reality they like to be held, and they love it when I gently rub the top of their head and the underside. I just wanted to go out a bit, but turtles are not difficult to care for, unless you can`t buy food often. (lettuce, apples, sweet potatoes and grapes) I feed my 2 beautiful turtles. I hope this can help someone with some of the information they 🙂 wanted to have. 6. No animal is completely «clean». Turtles happen to be on the infectious side of the spectrum. Handwashing and caution should always be practiced, as no one likes salmonella. Besides, side note, who cuddles a turtle? They feel like round stones with arms and legs. Their claws aren`t particularly sharp, but it`s certainly not practical for them to squeeze those claws into your flesh.

7. Care sheets and online resources can provide tons of do`s and don`ts lists so you don`t poison your turtle. It`s not even hard to find them. Some people I`ve met can keep these animals alive, but few can keep a turtle or turtle and let it thrive. If you are considering getting one for the sake of these beautiful creatures, please read this list first and sleep on your decision. If you really believe that you have the prerequisites to buy a turtle or pet turtle, then go for it – but only then! In a well-intentioned attempt to give my now-deceased red-footed turtle a little more space to roam, I let him wander around my old apartment in Chicago. 2. This must be done later. Who lets a cold-blooded animal wander around a cold apartment unattended? Even pet stores (who don`t care how long the thing will last after the warranty expires) will tell you that proper heating is necessary. Plus, most people can research if their turtles can withstand the outdoor climate, which saves the hassle of temperatures.

I read the whole article and quite honestly, while you have some good points. You literally look like an uneducated homeowner. You bought turtles and tortoiseshells and in MANY cases you didn`t have the right environment or you did things that the MAJORITY of turtle/tortoise care items contain. Say NOT to do. If I have exposed myself to ridicule here, so be it. I deserve it. I should be ashamed of my gross mistakes in caring for turtles and turtles, and that`s me. I hope this article will give at least a few people food for thought about buying a turtle or turtle. Never bring a turtle (or wild animal) home. Not only is this illegal in Ontario, but it also harms wild turtle populations.

While habitat loss and road mortality remain the greatest threat to Ontario`s turtles, poaching has reportedly been devastating to the pet trade for species such as spotted turtles, forest turtles and Blanding`s turtles. According to the evidence I`ve seen, some turtles in particular are somewhat social. Bathing together in the sun, eating together and, of course, making love. Two males could fight and injure each other, so this is a trap to watch out for. But again, the square footage per turtle or turtle is a very relevant factor. I`d have two or more if I had the space and time, but right now I don`t. Thank you Catbark! Sometimes I think people don`t read the whole article, or they themselves profit from the pet trade and judge quickly. I think there are responsible turtles and turtle traders who work hard to satisfy the desire for pets while reducing the pressure on wild populations. Thanks for Stahlherz`s answer, it is not easy to openly admit your mistakes. You CAN have a turtle.

The point of this essay is that there is more to keeping turtles than many people realize. Some species are easier to care for than others, but ALL turtles and turtles need a lot of space. They may survive in a small enclosure or aquarium, but they are unlikely to thrive and they may even suffer in a space that is too small. Read the essay above again and do your research before becoming a steward of these wonderful creatures or a reptile. Animals are considered property in the Canadian legal system. Property rights include the right of possession, the right of use and the enjoyment of property to the exclusion of human beings. Jurisdiction over animals is shared between the federal government and the provinces under the Constitution of Canada. Using its criminal law powers, the Federal Government has created criminal offences in the Criminal Code relating to animal suffering and has set limits and penalties for offences. [1] The federal Parliament is also responsible for the importation of animals.