You will need to visit a turtle adoption center and prove that you will be a responsible turtle owner. Make sure that you understand what it means to adopt a turtle. These animals require specialized and thoughtful care, feeding, housing, and cleaning.
Look for a turtle with bright, clear eyes. Dull, crusty, or pus-filled eyes are a sign that a turtle is infected with disease. Find a happy and active animal. Watch the turtle in its tank: it should move around, swim, and splash. If it is in a tank with other turtles, it should be friendly and sociable around the other animals. Check that the turtle is not overweight or underweight. If its skin sags from its body, then it might be underweight. If it cannot get fully inside of its shell, then it might be overweight.
Know that turtles love to dig. A turtle may bury itself up to its shell in the loose mud of a sandy bank, and it may be hard to spot unless you keep a sharp eye out. Try poking gently in spots where the bank has shifted. If you feel something solid, it might be a turtle shell. Keep your eyes out for turtles in the open: in yards or parks, or crossing the road. If you find a turtle in an unsafe space or an inhospitable environment—such as a road, a hot parking lot, or a very dry area—consider at least moving it to the nearest pond.
Be aware that turtles can bite, and that some can cause serious damage! Do not try to pick up a snapping turtle. It can be done, but it is a risky move. [5] X Research source
Make sure to poke air-holes in the shoebox! There is no sense in killing the turtle. Place your trap close to where you’ve seen the turtle. If the turtle is in a pond, make the trap near the shore of the water.
Restrain any large pets that might try to prey on the turtle. This includes dogs and cats. [6] X Research source
Make sure that the turtle hasn’t fallen down stairs, or fallen from a high place. Block off these danger zones, if you haven’t already. Listen for movement. If you have tile or hardwood floors, then you might be able to hear the quiet scratch of the turtle’s claws as it walks.
Remember: turtles don’t usually drink from small dishes of water. They drink water as they are immersed in it.
