Turtle Rescue League

Turtle Rescue League We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and one of New England's largest native turtle rescues
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We offer wild turtle rehabilitation services, educational courses, and non-native pet turtle placement and adoption services. We are open 24/7 to injured turtle emergencies, and Monday-Friday for pet turtle cases.

As many of you know, here at Turtle Rescue League, we have dubbed 2026 the Year of the Snapping Turtle! Last year, we no...
06/18/2026

As many of you know, here at Turtle Rescue League, we have dubbed 2026 the Year of the Snapping Turtle! Last year, we noticed a devastating pattern: of our 217 intakes, 45% were common snapping turtles.

Nesting season is here, and we see the same pattern: more female snapping turtles are hit as they move to nest, and familiar public fears about this species persist. With so much misinformation, snapping turtles have become legendary, but not in the way they should be. Fear has created hesitation to help with the snapping turtles' important journey. That's why we have a goal to dispel myths and educate communities about these keystone species.

Support snapping turtle recovery and education with our Year of the Snapping Turtle shirts. Follow the links in the QR code, or our stories and bio to check out our amazing new shirts. Tag us on Facebook and Instagram to show your !

Celebrate, protect, and advocate for snapping turtles—quiet caretakers of our freshwater habitats. By working as a community, we can create a safer future for these unique animals and the waterways we all cherish.

06/17/2026

There is no greater feeling, than seeing patients return to where they belong. Anyone else wish they could be a turtle swimming in a pond?

If you wish to help turtle like intake 2026-28, check out the thinks in our bio and stories to see how you can help!

06/17/2026

There is no greater feeling, than seeing patients return to where they belong. Anyone else wish they could be a turtle swimming in a pond?

Attention gardeners, landscapers, and construction workers: your mulch and dirt piles may attract nesting turtles! Repor...
06/16/2026

Attention gardeners, landscapers, and construction workers: your mulch and dirt piles may attract nesting turtles! Reports of turtles nesting in uncovered dirt and mulch piles have increased. We want to give a PSA on why these turtles choose to nest there and how to prevent it!

Spring brings around new life, and often dirt piles! These can attract turtles looking for the perfect place to nest, and what better place than a wonderful fresh pile of dirt or mulch! To prevent this, cover dirt and mulch piles with a tarp when not in use. If turtle eggs are discovered, they should only be moved by trained professionals. This should only happen if the nests are discovered in a place that would be dangerous to the nest or future hatchlings. Covering your piles protects the eggs and saves your time and piles!

Turtles use the vomeronasal organ, or Jacobson’s organ, to sense their environment and select nesting sites. Nesting is critical for their survival, and turtles are very selective! Only trained professionals should handle nests, as moving or rotating turtle eggs after they are laid can harm developing embryos essential to species preservation.

We are in the heart of turtle nesting season, and the mission to protect native turtles in Massachusetts continues. You can support these initiatives by visiting our Linktree to donate, contributing supplies through the Amazon wishlist, becoming a Patron, volunteering, or shopping at our bonfire store. Your support directly aids the rehabilitation of Massachusetts’ native turtle populations.

06/15/2026

When you go to drain a tank and wonder why you're being sprayed...

Until you see there's a leak in the hose💀🤣

Fun Fact Friday! Did you know a turtle’s spine is fused to its shell, forming a single structure? The shell, made of ker...
06/12/2026

Fun Fact Friday! Did you know a turtle’s spine is fused to its shell, forming a single structure? The shell, made of keratin, contains blood vessels and nerves, making it both vital and unique for the organisms in the order Testudines! The shape, presence of hinges, and ability to retract limbs all help identify turtle species. We can learn so much from their shell alone—isn’t that amazing!

In Massachusetts, we have 10 native species, each with unique shells and features. At Turtle Rescue League, our mission is simple: Keep turtles a part of the future, not a thing of the past. While the mission sounds simple, achieving it is complex—much like the shells of these amazing species!

Thanks to our community, we support wildlife rehabilitation, incubation, conservation, and education. Ready to support freshwater turtles? Visit our linktree in our stories and bio to join us: donate, browse our Amazon wishlist, or sign up to volunteer today!

Last month, volunteers and staff worked through the rain to install our new greenhouse over the outdoor incubator! This ...
06/10/2026

Last month, volunteers and staff worked through the rain to install our new greenhouse over the outdoor incubator! This amazing donation will help protect eggs from temperature fluctuations, and support higher hatching rates for our valuable native turtles!

While these improvements are underway, important work remains. We need to upgrade the internal electrical and battery systems to ensure consistent warmth, providing stable incubation conditions for hatchlings even during cold nights. We have already observed a 10% increase in daily temperature above ambient, which may improve hatchling survival. Keep an eye out in the fall for updates!

If you are passionate about supporting our native turtle species or want to stay informed about TRL projects, please sign up as a member to receive updates and future volunteer opportunities. You may also volunteer, donate, or view our Amazon wishlist through our Linktree, available in our stories, bio, or in comments below!

Look out, it's double trouble! Reba and Jimothy are the best of friends. Their favorite hobbies are causing mischief and...
06/09/2026

Look out, it's double trouble!

Reba and Jimothy are the best of friends. Their favorite hobbies are causing mischief and poking their heads up to stare at every staff member and volunteer who walks by, though for different reasons! Reba is always ready for another snack, and Jim is just the most curious big guy.

Tag your best friend below to let them know they’re the ultimate partner in crime—just like Reba and Jimothy!

As the largest dedicated wild turtle rehabilitation center in Massachusetts, we receive calls from ALL over the state! W...
06/08/2026

As the largest dedicated wild turtle rehabilitation center in Massachusetts, we receive calls from ALL over the state! We have been able to reach and educate more people, which also means we receive calls from farther away. With a small staff unable to leave the clinic to pick up our patients, and the rising cost of gas preventing the public from being able to afford the journey, this has become a major problem for injured turtles across the state. And now, thanks to a generous $500 donation, we have a gas fund for long-distance transporters.

Native turtle nesting season is here, and call volume continues to increase daily about moms hit by cars while trying to nest. Please help us reach our $1,000 goal by matching this donation — simply click the button in our story or highlights and enter your gift to directly support urgent turtle transportation. Please write "gas fund" in the dedication line. Your donation today will make an immediate impact.

Every turtle saved and every donation made right now makes a difference. Time is critical. Please act today to help us meet this pressing need and ensure our native turtles receive the emergency transportation required. Thank you for being part of this effort and for giving hope to our native species.

Sunday has passed more swiftly than ever; the days are becoming longer and warmer. Intake momentum remains strong, and w...
06/07/2026

Sunday has passed more swiftly than ever; the days are becoming longer and warmer. Intake momentum remains strong, and we are approaching 100 intakes for 2026. Our staff, volunteers, and equipment are maintaining their pace. It is remarkable to observe the collaboration of so many communities.

Support remains essential as the season is only beginning. The most effective way to contribute is by becoming a Patron, a recurring monthly donor of any amount. Monthly donations are critical for funding medical supplies and operational expenses such as electricity—ensuring our turtles are kept warm, and their habitats are maintained—and for acquiring medications and medical supplies to ensure the well-being of our patients. To donate, please visit our stories and bio for the link to our website.

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Southbridge, MA
01550

Website

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