Appeal for owner after stray tortoise found in back garden in Tycroes

The tortoise - which an independent vets believe to be a Hermann's tortoise - was found in the Tycroes Road area on Sunday, July 1 at around 5pm.

RSPCA animal welfare officer Paula Milton said: “The caller very kindly took the tortoise in and was monitored before taking the tortoise to a nearby vets.

"The tortoise is in a good condition and doesn’t have any injuries.

“There was no microchip found for identification so we don’t know who the tortoise belongs to.

"I suspect the tortoise is a pet but has escaped from an enclosure and an owner is probably desperately searching.

"However, there is a possibility that the tortoise has been abandoned deliberately because the owners could no longer give the proper care.

"Keeping exotic animals as pets takes a lot of commitment and we urge any potential owners to thoroughly research what is required in the care of the particular species before taking one on, as they need to make sure they can give their animal the environment it needs and that they have the facilities, time, financial means and long-term commitment to maintain a good standard of care, as required under the Animal Welfare Act 2006."

For further advice, visit rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/other.

If you have any information about this tortoise please call our inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

If you find an animal in distress, please call us on 0300 1234 999. If you wish to help RSPCA Cymru, you can donate online. The RSPCA is a charity and relies on public donations.