Malibu nonprofit organization American Tortoise Rescue and Groupon Grassroots have partnered up for a year-end campaign to raise funds for fruit trees to feed rescued turtles and tortoises.
After a successful partnership in May, ATR is being featured in Groupon’s “Best of 2012” campaign. The fundraising effort seeks donations so the Malibu organization can plant three seven- to nine-year-old fruit trees to help feed box turtles and South American tortoises. Extra funds will go toward expanding the orchard and purchasing a storage tank to maintain a clean water supply.
Susan Tellem and Marshall Thompson founded ATR 22 years ago.
“Though turtles and tortoises have survived in the wild for more than 200 million years, their numbers are dwindling due to the exotic food industry, habitat destruction and the pet trade,” Tellem said. “When these animals are injured or abandoned, they can have a difficult time finding adoptive families because they lack the immediate appeal of a furry companion animal.”
The organization has re-homed more than 3,000 turtles and tortoises. It is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization.
For more information, visit tortoise.com.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this article referred to the ATR as the “ATF.”
