When I was shutting our gate to leave work today, I noticed a small tank with two turtles in it. Both were hardly over an inch long. There was also water conditioner and food left, both fairly full.
I am at a loss of what to do with them. They're illegal, they carry many diseases, they shouldn't be let loose, and the humane society doesn't rescue amphibians and reptiles (as far as I know).
I don't know if I want to keep them because of the diseases they carry -- otherwise I would gladly keep them until they were large enough and take them to a local museum to release in their man-made pond. I don't think they're big enough, yet, for the museum to legally take them, but I will be calling them on Tuesday (after the holiday).
Also, what should I be cleaning the tank with and how often? Weekly? It was filthy when I brought them home today so I cleaned everything off with dishwasher detergent because that's what was recommended for my hamster's cage.
Any advice is appreciated.
