Wildlife

Tortoise Adoption Program

Adopting and caring for desert tortoises

Each year the Arizona Game and Fish Department adopts out hundreds of captive desert tortoises that are surrendered to the department. These tortoises cannot be released back into the wild because captive tortoises can transmit diseases that can decimate our wild population. Desert tortoises are nontraditional pets, but are fascinating animals and families can gain an appreciation of desert wildlife by caring for a tortoise and watching its natural behavior.

Under state law, desert tortoises are available for adoption for Arizona residents only.

Per Arizona Game and Fish Commission Order 43, “possession limit is one desert tortoise per person per household” and per AZGFD Rule (R12-4-407) it is illegal to breed desert tortoises.

Tortoises are typically adopted out from March/early April – mid October, depending on the temperatures since they brumate during the cooler months.

Adopt

Before submitting your adoption application, check out the resources below to learn about desert tortoises and what’s required to properly care for one. Adopters should also consider that healthy tortoises can live upwards of 80-100 years and should have a long-term plan in place in either a will or other succession plan as the tortoise may outlive its caretaker.

Application Process

• Learn
  • Captive desert tortoise cold weather care
  • Proper desert tortoise diet
  • Native Plants for Desert Tortoises: downloadable brochure
  • Desert tortoise health and illnesses
• Review
  • Desert Tortoise Adoption Guide
  • New! Desert Tortoise Adoption Guide – Spanish version
• Build
  •  Constructing a desert tortoise enclosure and burrow
    *Note: You must complete your burrow and backyard enclosure before submitting your application. 
• Apply
  • Online Application (preferred method)

Paper application: Desert Tortoise Adoption Application. E-mail the completed application and photos of the tortoise’s constructed habitat and burrow to TAP@azgfd.gov or mail to Tortoise Adoption Program, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086.

Surrender a Pet Desert Tortoise

Almost all of the desert tortoises that are available for adoption are previous pets. We understand that situations may arise that may result in you needing to find a new home for your tortoise. If this happens, please call our Desert Tortoise Adoption Program at 844 896-5730 and we can assist in finding a new home.

What to Do if You Find a Desert Tortoise  

If you are in an open, “wild” area and come across a desert tortoise, chances are it is wild and is just living its life and you should leave it alone. If you observe a potentially injured tortoise or you find a healthy one in a populated area, please call the Desert Tortoise Adoption Program, 844 896-5730 so that we can help make the best decision for that tortoise. View information

Tortoises Native to Arizona Must Remain in Arizona

Under state law, desert tortoises cannot be removed from Arizona so if a tortoise caretaker plans to move from the state or passes away and no succession plan is in place (such as a will), it must be returned back into an approved adoption facility. If the tortoise is relocated within the state, please contact the nearest adoption facility to update the tortoise’s information in our records.

It is Illegal to Collect Tortoises From or Release Tortoises into the Wild

In Arizona, it is illegal to release any tortoise into the wild. Releasing a tortoise into the wild can be detrimental to wild tortoises because it can spread disease and disrupt uniquely adapted genetics in wild populations. It is also illegal and detrimental to desert tortoise populations to collect tortoises from the wild.

State-sanctioned Adoption Facilities

Tucson Area: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum 520 883-3062; www.desertmuseum.org/programs/tap.html
Statewide toll-free 844 896-5730, TAP@azgfd.gov

Support
If you can not adopt a tortoise, help us care for our tortoises at our adoption facility!