The law in Vermont
Vermont does not allow native turtles to be kept as pets, and from July 2025 pond sliders, including red-eared sliders, may no longer be imported or sold in the state. You can keep a slider you already owned before 1 July 2025 but must never release it. From 1 January 2027 it will be illegal to intentionally take any reptile or amphibian without authorization.
Selling. Act 47 of 2025 bans importing, possessing or selling pond slider turtles (Trachemys scripta) from 1 July 2025. Pet dealers and commercial collection permittees may sell only sliders they can document holding before that date. Native species may not be sold.
Keeping. Native turtles may not be kept as pets. Possessing any live wild animal, including reptiles, requires authorization from the Commissioner under 10 V.S.A. 4709, with a 100 dollar importation and possession permit fee. Pond sliders may be kept only if legally acquired as a pet before 1 July 2025.
Wild turtles. Vermont Fish and Wildlife says capturing wild turtles, even briefly, is prohibited. From 1 January 2027, 10 V.S.A. 4085 bans intentionally taking any reptile or amphibian unless the Commissioner allows it by rule. Photographing turtles and brief catch and release of common species need no permit. Report wood, spotted and spiny softshell turtle sightings to the department.
Release. Releasing a pond slider kept as a pet to the wild is prohibited and is enforced as a fish and wildlife violation. The department warns that released turtles spread disease and usually die in unfamiliar habitat.
Who to ask. Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: Vermont Fish and Wildlife, import, possession and sale of reptiles (Act 47 of 2025 (H.231), Secs. 13 and 14); Act 47 of 2025 as enacted (Vermont General Assembly) (10 V.S.A. 4085; 10 V.S.A. 4709); Vermont Fish and Wildlife, turtles must be left in the wild (VFWD press release); Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas, permits (10 V.S.A. 4001 et seq.). Last checked November 5, 2026. Our confidence in this summary: high. This is a plain-English reading, not legal advice; the agency has the final word.
Reptile vets
- VEG ER for Pets, BurlingtonSouth Burlington, Vermont
24 hour emergency hospital that says it treats exotic pets, naming birds, rabbits, snakes and sugar gliders. Emergency care only, not a routine reptile practice. 802-523-2755.
Rescues and adoption
No rescue listed in Vermont yet. National groups on the rescues page take surrenders from any state.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in Vermont 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.
- Snakes at SunsetMiami, Florida
Online seller of captive-bred reptiles with a Miami address that lists turtles such as pink-bellied side-necks and Fly River turtles plus a tortoise category. Ships FedEx Priority Overnight to all states except Alaska, Hawaii and the District of Columbia, and its turtle page cites the federal rule against selling turtles under 4 inches, with 4 inch juveniles offered. Ships: all states except AK, HI and DC.
- 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.
- ReptmartOnline
Online seller of captive-bred reptiles only, with turtle and tortoise categories. Live animals ship FedEx Overnight Monday to Wednesday with a live arrival guarantee, not to Alaska, Hawaii or the District of Columbia, and its terms state that all turtles and tortoises under 4 inches are sold for scientific or educational purposes only. Ships: all states except AK, HI and DC.
- 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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