This is our story
After Ryan and Charlie discovered that working was not possible due to Ryan’s neurological conditions, Charlie became Ryan’s full-time carer and helped Ryan focus on things he loved to gain much-needed meaning and the therapeutic benefits within his life. This took the shape of a shell. Ryan’s love for Turtles and animals in general became the saviour both he, Charlie, and the animals he soon began to rescue, needed.
After appearing on the BBC Two TV show Employable Me, Ryan was accepted to work at Maidenhead Aquatics whilst appearing on the show. This offered Ryan a full time contract which opened up the possibilities he was told he would never achieve, such as working with the general public and making his passion for animals a career. Ryan promoted his achievements on ITV’s This Morning with Holly and Philip, who introduced Ryan as UK’s Worst Case of Tourettes.
After suffering from numerous health relapses, Ryan had a seizure related to his Tourettes which made him question his suitability within his role at the pet shop. He then bravely decided to utilise his skills and knowledge with animals along with his long-term partner, Charlie, to set up a Turtle Rescue within his home.
The Birth of Shell-Tur
Shell-Tur was born in September 2016 when we rehomed our first animal, Drogon, who was the last lizard being sold by a well-known pet store. Following this, we set up our Facebook page to build a community of like-minded people who want to learn best practice around turtle and reptile husbandry, after realising the shocking statistics about animal neglect within pet stores. Due to the increasing rehoming demand, the RSPCA were unable to re-home exotic animals, leaving a critical amount of reptiles, turtles, and amphibians being dumped or released into local green spaces, including ponds and waterways.
In 2015, Yellow Bellied Turtles, named Sliders, were made illegal to buy or breed within the UK; for those who already owned a Yellow Belly, certain legislation was made in order to allow those owners to pass ownership to one other owner. This meant that people could rehome their turtle with a private owner or with a sanctuary/rescue, where they would have to stay permanently. Yellow Bellies are now deemed as pests and an invasive species in the UK, largely due to misinformation provided by the pet trade to new owners who then released their turtles into green spaces, ponds, and waterways.
We were contacted through our Facebook page by local authorities including environmental managers and park rangers about the capture and rescue of turtles within our local area – Berkshire and Hampshire.
We rescued our first turtle in South Hill Park, Berkshire, and her name is Sue.
Sue is a Red-Eared Slider, thought to be 25 years young, with sightings of Sue in the pond dating back to the late 90’s.
There are 3 types of sliders within the uk, not including any species of turtle that has been crossbred with a slider turtle. Turtles breed in the wild and so it is not known for certain how many turtles are currently within our ponds and waterways. We knew the problem and wanted to help.
Yellow bellied turtles and turtles that are released into the wild decrease our wildlife and create a predator in our waters that our wildlife are not adapted to. This creates issues and complications with our own protected and endangered wildlife – for example; Great Crested Newts, Waterfowl and Waterside Shrews.
Since establishing Shell-Tur, it has further highlighted just how neglected Reptiles and Turtles are. We had no idea how popular rehoming a turtle would be and found we had an immediate influx; which was overwhelming. All of our disposable income and donations go straight to our animals at Shell-Tur, this means we don’t profit financially from the animals and the donations we receive are the miracles that we achieve and make happen.
There have been many stories that have touched our hearts and we have been glad to welcome them into our #Turtlefam.
At Shell-Tur it’s more about the love for animals and understanding that we all need as humans. We need to see animals as a life just like us, who sometimes are left, not spoken to and often question their survival.
We ask you: how would you like it if you were dumped in stagnant, bacteria infected and Polluted waters, with minimal food and temperatures that can get close to freezing? The UK isn’t a suitable habitat for exotic animals without the specialist equipment and terrariums, vivariums, aquariums and aviaries that responsible owners provide for their wellbeing and healthy life. Owning an exotic animal is a life-long commitment to their welfare, nourishment, and enrichment.
Charlie Courtman
Our Impact
Over the last five years we are proud to have rescued and rehomed over 1,500 Turtles & Reptiles and strive to provide the best care for the wellbeing, welfare, and environmental needs that these animals require. Most are left in severe conditions and come to us with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions. After suffering health complications or sepsis due to being kept in bad conditions.
5+
Years of Experience
1500+
Happy Turtles & Reptiles
365
Days a Year