Joshua Tree Reptile Haven

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Joshua Tree Reptile Haven We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and providing a safe haven for tortoises and turtles in need.
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10/19/2026

This is Eddie. 🦎❤️

He is one of the few very special reptiles who call Joshua Tree Reptile Haven home alongside the hundreds of tortoises and turtles in our care.

Mealworms are just one part of Eddie’s varied diet….but today, watching him enjoy them carries a much bigger message.

Every year, reptiles are abandoned, neglected, surrendered, and left needing homes. Meanwhile millions more are deliberately bred and sold for profit.

And it isn’t just tortoises and turtles. It’s bearded dragons, snakes, geckos, iguanas, and countless others.

Before creating another life to sell, remember the ones already here…. waiting for someone to care whether they live or die.

Rescue. Sanctuary. Responsibility. Not reproduction for profit.

10/14/2026

Harold is trying to bite the hand that feeds him… while coming closer for kisses. ❤️🐢

This is Harold, one half of the famous Tim & Harold…. the two brothers who spent nearly 30 years living on an LA rooftop before coming to us.

I share these kissing videos because I want people to see a side of tortoises that is often misunderstood.

Harold LOVES to open his mouth and try to get a piece of my hand. 😂 But watch him. There is nothing vicious about it. Nothing happens fast with a tortoise, not even their bite.

He knows the hand that feeds him. And while he’s trying to nibble that hand, he’s also coming toward me and embracing the kisses.

Tortoises are not inherently mean, aggressive creatures. They have individual personalities, they learn routines, and they respond to the environment and care we give them.

A large male kept without enough space, proper husbandry, stimulation or attention can become incredibly destructive. That doesn’t necessarily mean he is “mean.” It may mean his needs aren’t being met.

Give these animals the right environment, consistency, interaction and respect, and THIS is the side of them you can discover.

Harold is Harold. I absolutely love him for it.

And he and his brother Tim now get to spend their lives doing exactly what they should be doing:

Living like tortoises. ❤️🐢

Sulcatas are terribly overpopulated, and rescues across this country are overwhelmed with them. If you have the space, resources, knowledge and lifelong commitment for one, please consider adoption instead of buying a baby.

There are already so many incredible tortoises like Harold waiting for someone to understand them. ❤️

While Tim & Harold have their forever home here at Joshua Tree Reptile Haven, there is never enough room for all that need homes. A generational plan and family is what can help so many in need.

10/09/2026

Six months ago, Spencer didn’t know what it meant to be someone’s priority.

We received a call from a realtor who had taken custody of an abandoned home. When she entered the backyard, she discovered that the previous occupants had left someone behind.

Spencer.

They moved away and purposely left their tortoise in the backyard.

For months, no one lived there. No one brought him food. No one filled a water dish. No one checked to see if he was okay.

He was simply left to fend for himself.

But Spencer’s body told an even longer story. His abnormal shell growth and the difficulty he had using his hind legs made it painfully evident that proper care had been missing long before he was abandoned.

And yet, somehow, that terrible chapter of Spencer’s life became the beginning of something beautiful.

Because it brought him to us.

Today, Spencer has a forever home at Joshua Tree Reptile Haven. He has proper food, water, shelter, space, medical attention when he needs it AND something just as important…

He has love.

Every morning, this beautiful boy comes to me for his kisses and hugs.

Some people may look at a tortoise and never imagine the depth of the relationship that can develop between us. But when you spend every day caring for them, talking to them, touching them, learning their personalities and earning their trust, something extraordinary happens.

A bond forms.

Spencer knows me. He trusts me. He seeks me out.

And while I would love to believe that Spencer is grateful for everything we have given him, the truth is that I am every bit as grateful for what he has given me.

This is the part of sanctuary life that is difficult to explain until you experience it.

I don’t simply feed hundreds of tortoises and turtles every day. I don’t simply clean their enclosures, fill their water, tend to their injuries and make sure they’re safe.

I love them.

I give them my compassion, my time, my hands and my heart. Every single day.

And somehow, they give it right back.

Spencer is one of many very special boys who will spend the rest of his life here. He will never again wonder where his next meal is coming from. He will never again go without water. He will never again be abandoned.

He is home.

And like every tortoise and turtle who has found sanctuary at Joshua Tree Reptile Haven, Spencer doesn’t just occupy a space here.

He holds a piece of my heart. ❤️🐢

10/02/2026

There is something so pure about mornings at the sanctuary. ❤️🐢

Every morning, I go out to greet the tortoises as they begin coming out to bask in the morning sun. And today, Bomber came right up to me for kisses. 🥹

These are the moments I absolutely adore… the quiet, simple moments that remind me how grateful I am for the bond I’ve been able to build with these incredible animals.

They may be big. REALLY big. 😂 But beneath all that size are some of the sweetest, gentlest souls.

There’s something magical about having an animal trust you enough to seek you out, come right up to you, and give you a little morning kiss.

No matter how busy life gets or how much work there is waiting for us, this is the purest part of my day.

Morning sunshine, tortoises coming out to greet me…and kisses from Bomber. ❤️

It doesn’t get much better than that. 🐢☀️

PLEASE READ - Misinformation is being spread about Joshua Tree Reptile HavenThere has been false information circulating...
08/19/2026

PLEASE READ - Misinformation is being spread about Joshua Tree Reptile Haven

There has been false information circulating on social media regarding the health of the turtles in our care, so we want to clarify exactly what is happening at Joshua Tree Reptile Haven.

We are currently treating turtles within our ponding system for a respiratory illness. We took a symptomatic turtle to our veterinarian, where laboratory testing and blood work were performed. Unfortunately, those results were inconclusive.

Out of an abundance of caution, and under the direction of our veterinarian, we are administering a course of antibiotics to the turtles in the ponding system in an effort to eliminate the illness completely.

Sadly, we have also lost one turtle. We took that turtle to our veterinarian hoping a necropsy could help identify the cause of the illness. We were informed that their practice only performs necropsies on animals they have euthanized. We will not euthanize a living turtle or tortoise simply for the purpose of obtaining a necropsy. Our veterinarian’s current plan is therefore to treat the turtles in the affected ponding system.

There is no mysterious statewide “outbreak” that we are aware of, and we will not present speculation as fact. What we can tell you is exactly what is happening here, what testing has been performed, and what we are doing under veterinary guidance.

We also want to clarify something regarding public access and updates. Joshua Tree Reptile Haven is a private sanctuary and is not open to the general public. We voluntarily share our work on social media because we believe education and transparency are important. Social media posting is not a requirement of operating our sanctuary.

As a courtesy, we also provide updates when possible to families who have surrendered animals directly into our care. With hundreds of animals requiring daily care, medical treatment, maintenance and feeding, we simply cannot provide individual updates to members of the public about every animal they may have seen on our social media.

Our responsibility is first and foremost to the animals in our care.

This clarification is being posted to put the facts in one place so that anyone concerned about the situation can hear directly from us about what is actually happening. I have also attached the false accusation posts so everyone is aware.

Best,
Amanda
Joshua Tree Reptile Haven

08/06/2026

Two months ago, just after our daughter graduated, she and I drove to pick up Ted.

His family made the incredibly difficult decision to surrender him so he could finally receive the medical care he desperately needed. Their family dog had chewed a wound into his front leg so severe that nearly 3/4’s of the bone was gone. The injury was already weeks old and badly infected by the time we met him.

As we carefully examined Ted, we noticed something even more heartbreaking. His shell and body were covered with old scars. This wasn’t the first time he had been attacked. It had happened over the years.

Today, two months later, I witnessed something that brought tears to my eyes.

Ted stood up… and walked. Not just a shuffle. He took real, proud steps on his own.

His journey is far from over. He still has months of healing and rehabilitation ahead of him. But this moment reminds me exactly why I show up every single day!

People sometimes only see a short video on social media. What they don’t see are the countless hours of rehabilitation, patience, setbacks, and hope that happen long before a milestone like this.

Watching Ted take those proud steps today filled my heart in a way I can’t describe.

Thank you to everyone who believes in these animals and makes stories like Ted’s possible. His journey isn’t over yet, but today… we celebrate how far he’s come. I absolutely love being his Mom! ☺️💚🐢

08/03/2026

There is a peace here that is hard to put into words.

Every morning I get to spend time with these incredible Hermann’s tortoises and box turtles, and every single one of them fills my heart in a different way. Caring for them isn’t just part of my day, it gives me purpose, strength, and comfort. In a world that can feel so overwhelming, they remind me to slow down, breathe, and appreciate the simple things.

I wish each and every tortoise and turtle here at Joshua Tree Reptile Haven knew just how deeply they are loved. They may never understand the words, but I hope they feel it through every meal, every clean enclosure, every gentle touch, and every moment spent making sure they are safe.

They have given me far more than I could ever give them. It is an honor to be their Mom! 💚🐢

07/27/2026

Some people see a 200 pound tortoise charging toward me.

I see someone I love.

For just a brief second, he didn’t realize it was me. Then he caught my scent…

Mom. 💚

Moments like this remind me that trust isn’t given it is earned. Through countless hours of daily care, we’ve built a bond that means more to me than words can ever express.

Day after day, I show up for them. I am honored to be their mom and truly breathe to take care of them. Not just feed them, not just change their water or clean their house/enclosure, but build the bond that can never be taken from my heart.

People may think we rescued them.

But the truth is… they rescued me.

Being their Mom is the greatest privilege of my life, and I am and will be forever grateful for every moment I get to spend with them! 🐢💚

07/17/2026

It takes a community to save a life. 💚🐢

Darwin is an endangered California Desert Tortoise whose life was forever changed after a devastating dog attack left him missing a leg. Without emergency surgery, Darwin would not be here today.

When emergencies like Darwin’s happen, we don’t have the luxury of saying, “We can’t.” A life is depending on us in that moment. So we say, “We can.” We say yes because every life matters.

But the truth is, Joshua Tree Reptile Haven cannot do this alone.

Saving lives isn’t just about what we do for the animals. It’s about how a village of compassionate people comes together to make the impossible possible. Every donation, whether it’s $5, $10, $25, or more, becomes part of Darwin’s story. It becomes the surgery that saved him, the care that helps him heal, and the promise that the next animal in desperate need won’t be turned away.

When you look at these photos, you’re not just seeing an invoice. You’re seeing what it took to save an endangered life.

If Darwin’s story has touched your heart, we ask you to stand with us today. Please consider making a donation and becoming part of the village that gives these animals the future they deserve.

Donate Today for Darwin!
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=L59S3UCPN45VE

💚Together, we prove that humanity still has the power to save lives.

07/13/2026

When Karma first arrived at Joshua Tree Reptile Haven, he was carrying years of pain. Massive abscesses required major surgery, where our veterinary team removed 12 abscesses and closed him with more than 50 stitches.

As Karma continued to heal, another dozen abscesses caused by years of fighting with other males, were also removed in a second surgery he just had a few weeks ago. It has been a long road, but one worth every step. It is likely he will return for a 3rd surgery.

Karma is also one of five tortoises here at Joshua Tree Reptile Haven that our incredible veterinary team has successfully performed these complex abscess surgeries on, giving each of them a second chance at a life free from chronic pain.

Today… he’s marching to the van like a champion. 💚

This morning Karma is headed back to see our veterinarian to have his stitches removed. Because of where they are located behind his head, it’s safest for our vet to remove them.

What makes this moment so special isn’t just that he’s healing…

It’s that he trusts.

Yesterday, Karma calmly walked the entire Shell Walk, following our lead straight to the rescue van so he’d be ready for his early morning appointment. No fear. No hesitation. Just confidence that we’re were leading him somewhere safe.

Trust isn’t something you can demand from a tortoise. It’s something you earn, one kind act at a time.

We’re so proud of you, Karma. Every confident step he takes is proof that patience, compassion, and expert veterinary care can change a life.

Here’s to another milestone on your journey, big guy. We can’t wait to see you back home where you belong.

💚 Every life matters.
🐢 Joshua Tree Reptile Haven

Address

PO Box 77
Onyx, CA
93255

Telephone

+17604994723

Website

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