Abandoned Pet Turtle Living in Pond Is So Grateful for Woman Bringing Food
Turtles are, unfortunately, one of those pets that a lot of people get, though they know next to nothing about them. They're kept in tiny tanks, not given enough enrichment, and frequently surrendered or downright abandoned. It breaks my heart!
When one woman saw an abandoned pet turtle in a pond, she simply couldn't just stand by and do nothing. She decided to bring him some food, and clearly, he was incredibly grateful for it:
@cjmiami I'm not sure who dropped off some of these turtles, but they seem grateful. On average, I count about 20 behind my house during feeding time. They've become a great addition to life on the lake. #turtles#animalfriends
original sound - noahksticks
CJ Miami has this pond in her backyard: it's absolutely stuffed with turtles who were once people's pets. This isn't some kind of rescue operation, either: someone just dumped them there, and that was that. As a turtle lover myself (I have a Yellow-Bellied Slider, and I have had him for 12 years), it just breaks my heart.
This boy looks like a Southern Painted turtle, which is a pretty common species to keep as pets. Apparently, there are about 20 turtles living in this lake, and most of them were dumped. Others were probably the offspring of those dumped turtles.
Luckily, in Miami, these turtles will have a relatively easy time staying safe. Southern Painted turtles are native to the area, and the hot days make it easy for them to bask. Miami is also home to a wide variety of bugs, and there are most likely some fish in that lake, too. The pellets are a nice supplement, though. CJ also hand-raises swans:
@cjmiami I predicted May 9th would be the day Sarah's eggs would hatch… and today is the day. So far, no babies yet, but fingers crossed we'll see little cygnets arriving over the next few days.
The warmth of nature - masumi&mugi
The swans and turtles get along pretty well most of the time, though they can get in some trouble during feeding time. Swans will often try to hiss in order to intimidate turtles (or anyone) into letting them eat first, but luckily, CJ was not having it.
Why Do People Abandon Turtles?
Take it from me: turtles are not easy to take care of. They have incredibly specific requirements and strong personalities. Blink and something might go wrong! Plus, turtles sold in pet stores are often marketed as "desk pets," which is just plain evil. A lot of people have no idea how big they get.
Turtles may seem like an "easy" pet for kids, and in some ways, they are. They're a little hardier than, say, a fish, but they're a big commitment. There are a few things that typically lead to a turtle being abandoned or surrendered:
- Their size: they outgrow "starter" tanks quickly.
- Their needs: a lot of people don't realize how much work it is to take care of a turtle.
- Their lifespans: depending on the turtle, you're looking at 30+ years.
- Their temperaments: people often get bored with "look, don't touch" types of pets.
- Expenses: turtles are not cheap to care for!
My turtle, Mr. Turtle, has a custom-built cabinet with a built-in faucet. He's a very loved, very pampered turtle. May he and this sweet turtle both live long, happy lives!
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This story was originally published May 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM.