The Main Shelter and Thrift Store are closing at 4:00 pm Friday, March 24, for a special event. Adoption visits are first-come, first-served. We recommend checking our current waitlist prior to your visit. Most other services are by appointment only, including reuniting lost animals, surrendering a pet, wildlife rehabilitation, and more.

May 2, 2019

Turtles are on the Move!

SHARE:

This is the time of year when turtles are beginning to move for breeding and to seek out good nesting sites to lay their eggs. As they make this journey, many will risk their lives crossing roadways.

You can help to save turtles by being on the lookout for them in the roadways, slowing down around wetlands and helping them safely cross the roads.

Below are some guidelines to follow to be sure both you and turtles stay safe:

  • Don't put yourself or others in danger on a busy road. Sometimes just pulling over and putting your hazards on is enough to get people to slow down to allow the turtle to cross safely.
  • When helping a turtle cross a road, always move them across in the same direction they were already heading, even if they are heading away from an apparent water source.
  • Do not relocate the turtle to a place you think is more suitable. Simply move them to the other side of the road they are crossing and let them go on their way. While moving them to water may seem like the kind thing to do, in reality, it could just make their journey longer and more dangerous as they reroute back to their original destination.
  • Never pick a turtle up by their tail as this can cause severe spinal damage. You can safely hold a turtle along the back edge of their shell without getting bitten.
  • If you don't feel safe picking the turtle up, you can use a blunt object such as a stick, shovel, ice scraper or other similar item you may already have in your car to push them across the road, or utilize a car mat to put under them and then slide them across the road.
  • Large snapping turtles can be a bit intimidating for people to help. Check out this video that demonstrates some safe options for moving a snapping turtle off the road.
  • Turtles are very resilient. If you see an injured turtle along the roadside, please pick it up and transport it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator even if you are not sure it is alive any longer. Even if it is not alive, there may be eggs that can be saved and incubated. Once hatched, the babies can be released back into the habitat that the mother had occupied.
  • Be sure to wash your hands after handling a turtle.
  • Report your sighting to the Wisconsin Turtle Conservation Program, a citizen-based monitoring program aimed at identifying high-mortality locations along roads in order to better conserve Wisconsin's eleven turtle species.

If you find an ill, injured or orphaned wild animal you believe is in need of assistance, learn more here. New patients are admitted by appointment only so please contact Dane County Humane Society's Wildlife Center at (608) 287-3235 before intervening. Knowledgeable staff and trained volunteers are happy to talk you through the next steps.

Next Story

Mar 1st, 2023

DCHS Partners with Program to Offer New Rehoming Service

DCHS partners with Home To Home™ to offer a rehoming service for pet guardians looking for permanent and temporary homes for their animals.

Full Story

Next Story

Mar 1st, 2023

DCHS Teams with BISSELL, Other Groups to Transfer More Animals

As animal adoptions slow down across the country, DCHS steps up to help.

Full Story

Next Story

Feb 2nd, 2023

Bunny Dates Help Pet Rabbits Get Closer

Rabbits need a number of bunny dates to help them become bonded. We discuss some rules to follow to help make the process a success.

Full Story

Next Story

Feb 2nd, 2023

Something to Chew On: Dental Health for Pets

Oral care is vital to our pets’ overall health, which is why DCHS is fortunate to have a dental suite. Learn why you should be concerned and get tips to help your pet maintain good dental hygiene.

Full Story

Next Story

Jan 24th, 2023

Behind the Numbers: Wildlife Center's 2022 Annual Report Data

What animals were admitted to DCHS's Wildlife Center for rehabilitation in 2022? How many of what species, and could we find any trends? See details of our recent annual wildlife reports!

Full Story

Next Story

Jan 24th, 2023

Bald Eagle Boom: Setting Intake Records in 2022

A record number of bald eagles came in to DCHS's Wildlife Center in 2022. How many eagles were admitted and for what reasons? The answers and numbers below may surprise you.

Full Story