The law in District of Columbia
Washington, DC bans most wild animals as household pets but makes an exception for turtles traditionally kept as pets, so ordinary pet turtles are allowed. There is no local scheme for collecting turtles from the wild, and abandoning any animal is illegal. The federal 4-inch rule still applies to sales.
Selling. DC Code 8-1808(j) allows turtles traditionally kept as pets to be sold and kept, but not wild animals generally. No District size rule was found beyond the federal 4-inch rule.
Keeping. DC Code 8-1808(j) prohibits importing, possessing or selling any living member of the animal kingdom as a household pet except listed animals, which include non-venomous snakes, fish and turtles traditionally kept as pets and not for commercial purposes. No numeric limit was found.
Wild turtles. No District rule on collecting turtles from the wild was found. Wildlife in the District is handled by the Department of Energy and Environment and most land is federal park land, where collecting is prohibited.
Release. DC Code 8-1808(p) makes it unlawful for an owner to abandon an animal. No specific turtle release rule was found; releasing pets is still a bad idea.
Who to ask. DC Health, Animal Services Division. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: DC Code 8-1808 Prohibited conduct (Animal Control) (D.C. Code 8-1808(j), (p)); DC Health Animal Services (Agency page). Last checked November 5, 2026. Our confidence in this summary: medium. This is a plain-English reading, not legal advice; the agency has the final word.
Reptile vets
- VEG ER for Pets, GeorgetownWashington, District of Columbia
24 hour emergency and urgent care hospital that sees cats, dogs, birds and exotic pets and says it handles emergency care for avians, reptiles and all types of exotic pets. Walk-ins accepted; not a routine care practice. 202-524-9199.
Rescues and adoption
No rescue listed in District of Columbia yet. National groups on the rescues page take surrenders from any state.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in District of Columbia yet.
Sellers that ship here
- LLLReptile and SupplyOceanside, California
Reptile retailer with eight stores in California, Arizona and Nevada, including Oceanside, Escondido, Menifee, San Diego, Chandler, Glendale, Henderson and Las Vegas, that stocks tortoises and turtles along with other reptiles and supplies. Also sells and ships animals online. Ships: ships nationally; store pickup available. 760-439-8496.
- My Turtle StorePort Richey, Florida
Online seller of aquatic turtles, tortoises, food and supplies that says it has operated for over 40 years and changed ownership in late 2024. Live animals ship by air only within the contiguous United States and are held when forecast lows are below 38 F. No statement about the FDA 4-inch rule or animal sizes was found on the pages read. Ships: contiguous US only. 656-777-1509.
- XYZ ReptilesPalmetto Bay, Florida
Breeder and online retailer of captive-bred reptiles with turtle and tortoise categories, shipping overnight on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with a live arrival guarantee. Does not ship to Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico, and its turtle page states that turtles and tortoises under 4 inches are offered for educational, scientific or export purposes only, not as pets. Ships: all states except AK and HI. 305-305-5998.
- New England Reptile DistributorsPlaistow, New Hampshire
Reptile breeder and shop known as NERD, with a facility in Plaistow that offers tours and sells pythons, boas, lizards and other animals in person and online with priority shipping. Its terms state that turtles and tortoises are sold for scientific or educational purposes only. Ships: ships nationally; pickup in Plaistow. 603-382-2772.
- Jungle Bob's Reptile WorldSelden, New York
Long Island reptile store open daily that sells tortoises, turtles, lizards, snakes, amphibians, feeders and supplies, with in-store pickup, local delivery and nationwide shipping of supplies. Ships: local pickup; ships supplies nationwide. 631-737-6474.
- Redfoot RanchAlice, Texas
Home-based breeder of red-footed and other tortoises and turtles, formerly in Wimauma, Florida and now in Alice, Texas, selling hatchlings and other sizes by mail order. Ships throughout the continental United States and to Alaska, with pickup possible near Corpus Christi, and its terms state that tortoises and turtles under 4 inches are offered for scientific or educational purposes only. Ships: continental US and AK. 727-421-5542.
- Reptile RaptureMonona, Wisconsin
Reptile store on Monona Drive near Madison open seven days a week, selling reptiles and invertebrates from its own breeding room plus supplies and feeders, with shipping available and a reptile rescue program. The site does not list turtles or tortoises specifically. Ships: ships nationally; pickup in Monona. 608-221-0094.
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