Breaking News

More () »

Pets

Need a new pet? 200 desert tortoises up for adoption from Arizona Game & Fish

Adopters must have a securely enclosed yard or construct a separate enclosure/burrow to prevent the tortoise from potential hazards.

Credit: AP

FILE - Wendy Cassidy, desert tortoise program director for the Phoenix Herpetological Society, gets up close to a then 30-year-old male Sonoran desert tortoise in Scottsdale, Ariz., on July 31, 2012. Federal officials concluded that Sonoran desert tortoises native to Arizona have a relatively stable population that doesn't need protection from environmental threats. Conservation groups say they're still not convinced the reptiles' well-being is a sure thing. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Monday, Feb. 7, 2022, that the tortoise doesn't warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act. (Tom Tingle/The Arizona Republic via AP, File)

ARIZONA, USA — If you're looking for a new family member, Arizona Game and Fish Department has 200 Sonoran desert tortoises looking for forever homes.

"Due primarily to illegal breeding, AZGFD has 200 tortoises of various ages and sizes available for adoption. Captive tortoises grow up to about 14 inches long and can live 80-100 years. They cannot be released back into the wild because they could spread diseases that harm wild populations," according to AZGFD.

Potential adopters can submit an online application here.

Officials say adopters must have a securely enclosed yard or construct a separate enclosure/burrow to prevent the tortoise from potential hazards, such as a fire pit, unfenced pool or dogs. The shelter must include an appropriate amount of space for the tortoise to escape Arizona’s extreme summer heat and a place to brumate - a seasonal period of inactivity similar to hibernation during winter.

AZGFD allows for one tortoise to be adopted per person, per household, but an additional tortoise of the same sex can be adopted if it is placed in a completely separate enclosure, officials say.

For more information, visit the AZGFD website.

VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: ¿Necesita una nueva mascota? Arizona Game & Fish tiene 200 tortugas del desierto para darlas en adopción

Up to Speed

Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12 News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.

Get to know 12 News

At 12 News, we listen, we seek, we solve for all Arizonans. 12 News is the Phoenix NBC affiliate owned by TEGNA Inc.

12 News is built on a legacy of trust. We serve more than 4.6 million people every month on air, on our 12 News app, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and 12News.com.

We are committed to serving all of the Valley's communities, because we live here, too.

12 News is the Official Home of the Arizona Cardinals and the proud recipient of the 2018 Rocky Mountain Emmy Award for Overall Excellence. Stay connected by downloading the 12 News app, available on Google Play and the Apple Store. Catch up on any stories you missed on the show on the 12 News Youtube channel. Read content curated for our Spanish-speaking audience on the Español page. Or see us on the 12 News Plus app available on Roku or Amazon Fire.