NC State Turtle Rescue Team

The NC State Turtle Rescue Team is a volunteer organization run by veterinary students at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. We provide medical, surgical and husbandry services free of charge in the hope of releasing rehabilitated turtles back into the wild. Currently, Turtle Rescue Team sees and treats over 300 wild turtles, reptiles and amphibians each year. With such a high caseload, veterinary students involved with Turtle Rescue Team have the opportunity to not only learn, develop, and refine their medical skills on “exotic” species, but they also have the chance to contribute to protecting North Carolina’s native wildlife.

Additionally, Turtle Rescue Team is involved with various public outreach programs including Reptile and Amphibian Day at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science, Tails and Scales at the North Carolina Aquarium, and Turtlefest at Bass Lake Park in Holly Springs.

Please note that because of state laws and our permits, it is illegal for us to treat or accept pet turtles.

• If you have a pet turtle that needs veterinary care, please contact the Exotic Animal Medicine Service at NC State.

Adopt a Turtle

Donate a small amount of money to go toward the treatment of our wildlife patients. Because we run primarily on donations from our community to provide treatment and a safe, enriching environment to our patients, adopting a turtle can make all the difference for an animal in need: “Adopt” a Turtle Fundraiser

Support the Turtle Rescue Team!