Chelonian Welfare Initiative - About Us
Our Vision
The Captive Chelonian Initiative UK was established out of a deep concern for the welfare of tortoises and turtles within the UK pet trade. Unfortunately, outdated practices, inappropriate equipment choices, dangerous advice, and dishonesty still prevail in the sale of Chelonians as pets in the UK. This situation doesn't have to persist, and we aim to offer valuable Chelonian care resources that sellers can reference when providing exotic pet advice to new keepers and customers, guiding them into the wonderful world of Chelonian companionship.
The Future's Bright, Right?
Reptile keeping has never been so popular, accessible, and successful! Historically, heating and lighting equipment for exotic pets has often been suboptimal, but advancements in our understanding of biology, behavior, and physiology have propelled modern reptile keeping technology to an impressive level. These developments enable us to provide outstanding Chelonian care resources for Tortoise and turtle welfare in captivity. The key now is to equip new keepers with the right information, fostering a generation of Tortoise and Turtle lovers who CAN excel beyond what we've seen before. This transformation begins the moment someone steps into a pet shop and asks their first tentative questions about sharing their life with a shelled pet, seeking rich exotic pet advice.
That's Where We Come In!
There has been a long-standing and somewhat deserved divide between those in Chelonian rescue and rehabilitation, advocacy groups, and the Exotic Pet Trade as a whole. This divide is not productive and does little to enhance the wider welfare of UK Chelonians.
This initiative aims to bridge that gap! Sellers can provide the best technology, housing, advice, and aftercare, guiding newcomers through their first steps into Chelonian care and helping them avoid common pitfalls, such as pyramiding, excessive growth, and overfeeding of incorrect foods, while also addressing crucial factors like brumation and aestivation. With clear, up-to-date Chelonian care resources, we can help tortoises thrive as pets, ensuring that owners can trust the advice from their local shops and sellers.
We aren't just here for sellers, though!
The public has a right to receive the correct setup and advice, and they should be able to recognize when they're being misled. Our resources will be available to everyone as a safeguard, ensuring that what they are being told and sold aligns with current best practices for tortoise and turtle welfare. There will also be resources highlighting problematic products, such as Pellet Diets or Mercury Vapour Lamps, and the reasons these items should be avoided.
All of these resources will help sellers identify mistakes in their customers' care, enabling them to assist effectively. They will also empower customers to tackle any issues they may have with their current husbandry or setup.
The end goal: Happy, Healthy Chelonians!