The law in Washington
Washington requires a department permit to take any live wildlife from the wild, and the native painted turtle is classified as protected wildlife. Red-eared sliders are a regulated non-native species: you can own one, but WDFW says you need the proper licence to import, hold, sell or release turtles, and releasing any pet into the wild is illegal.
Selling. WDFW states that importing, holding, possessing, offering for sale, selling or releasing any turtle species requires the proper licence under WAC 220-450-030. Pond sliders are a regulated aquatic species under RCW 77.135.030. No state codification of the 4-inch rule found.
Keeping. Anyone holding wild animals in captivity must be able to show proof of lawful acquisition. Painted turtles are protected wildlife and may not be hunted, fished or taken. Red-eared sliders are regulated, not prohibited, so legally acquired pets may be kept. No numeric limit found.
Wild turtles. Taking live wildlife from the wild requires a WDFW permit under WAC 220-450-030, and painted turtles are listed as protected wildlife under WAC 220-200-100. No open season or bag limit for turtles found.
Release. Releasing wildlife from captivity is unlawful except as provided in WAC 220-450-010, and releasing non-native species into state waters is illegal. WDFW says releasing a pet to the wild is never the right thing.
Who to ask. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Federal law bars the sale of any turtle under 4 inches as a pet everywhere; see the 4-inch rule.
Sources: WDFW species page, pond slider (Trachemys scripta) (RCW 77.135.030; WAC 220-450-030; WAC 220-450-010); WAC 220-450-030 Live wildlife, taking from the wild, possession, release (WAC 220-450-030); WAC 220-200-100 Wildlife classified as protected (WAC 220-200-100). 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
- Center for Bird and Exotic Animal MedicineBothell, Washington
Exotics-only hospital for birds, small mammals, reptiles and other non-traditional pets, with emergency care. 425-486-9000.
- Farmhouse Veterinary HospitalOlympia, Washington
Sees land turtles and tortoises such as Russian tortoises but not water turtles, plus small mammals, birds and poultry. Refers wildlife elsewhere. 360-456-5684.
- Hunter Veterinary ClinicSpokane, Washington
General practice offering care for exotic animals including small mammals, reptiles and birds. 509-327-9354.
- Kulshan Veterinary HospitalLynden, Washington
Mixed practice with locations in Lynden and Ferndale whose exotics service lists snakes, iguanas and other lizards, rabbits, rodents, ferrets and other exotic pets. 360-354-5095.
- Wilderness Animal HospitalMaple Valley, Washington
General practice that states it treats dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and pocket pets and lists an exotic animals service. 425-432-9975.
Rescues and adoption
- PNW Aquatics and Exotics RescueTacoma, Washington
Reptile and fish rescue with a 12,000 square foot facility in downtown Tacoma that includes a medical intake room, long-term sanctuary and an adoptables area serving the Pacific Northwest. Its site carries a Russian tortoise care sheet and its Petfinder listings have included turtles. Ships: adopts in the Pacific Northwest. 253-331-0544.
Breeders and stores
No breeder or store listed in Washington 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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