Quite the opposite. The idea is to provide a good outdoor habitat. Give these people a print out of this website or a copy of the Tortoise Group pamphlet, Desert Tortoises, Adoption and Care. Have them read it, first. A person who does not want to wait until their yard is ready does not realize what is involved in responsible care.
Preparation takes time and , unfortunately, people procrastinate.
As a result, many babies end up in a terrarium in a child's bedroom, suffering from soft-shell syndrome and dying slowly. Since August 1989, wild tortoises and tortoises hatched in captivity are equally protected under the Endangered Species Act. The proper outdoor environment is a major factor in responsible care. Please consider the need for an outdoor habitat when you are asked for your extra babies. If you do not want to be responsible for seeing that the habitat is ready in advance, give us the name of the prospective adopters.