A safe place to land. A second chance to thrive.
Gulf Coast Tortoise Sanctuary, also known as Gulf Coast Reptile Refuge Inc., is a family-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping tortoises and reptiles in need.
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Some animals come to us temporarily while we work to find them the right home. Others, because of their age, health, history, or individual needs, find their forever home right here at the sanctuary.
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Our mission is simple: provide every animal in our care with a safe environment, proper nutrition, veterinary care, enrichment, and the opportunity to live a healthy, happy life.
Current adoptables
Not every animal who comes to us needs permanent sanctuary. When a tortoise or reptile is healthy and ready for the right home, we make them available for adoption.
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We take each adoption seriously. Potential adopters are asked to complete an application and provide photos of the enclosure where the animal will live so we can make sure every placement is safe, appropriate, and built to last.
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Our available animals change often. Visit our Facebook page to meet our current adoptables, learn more about each animal, and find information about how to apply.
Santuary residents
For some of the animals who come through our doors, Gulf Coast Tortoise Sanctuary becomes their forever home.
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Today, 24 permanent residents depend on us for food, safe housing, veterinary care, enrichment, and everything else they need to thrive. For $20 a month, you can sponsor one of our sanctuary residents and become a special part of their story.
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Your sponsorship helps us provide the ongoing care they will need for the rest of their lives.
Herman
Herman joined us from Alabama. He is a mature gentleman, who's favorite activity is being sprayed with the water hose!
Tank
Tank, our "nosey neighbor," lol. Tank doesn't miss a thing! He is always watching everything going on and wants to be included.
Mickey
Mickey and his friend Mallory joined us all the way from South Dakota, where they used to be residents of a Zoo. They are a peaceful duo, and pass the days away grazing.
Tiki
Tiki joins us all the way from New Hampshire. His favorite activities include sunning, and eating!
Mallory
Mallory and her friend Mickey joined us all the way from South Dakota, where they used to be residents of a Zoo. They are a peaceful duo, and pass the days away grazing.
Speedy
Speedy joined us from Louisiana. He is such a unique little guy. His favorite activity is eating, or beating you at a staring contest!
Sophie
Sophie joined us from Louisiana. She prides herself as the "tallest" tortoise here, and loves to dig!
Wally
Oh sweet Wally. She joined us from here in Mississippi. She is one of the sweetest natured tortoises here!
Banana
Banana is another sweet natured gal. She enjoys grazing, and soaking in the kiddy pool!
Potato-potato
Potato-Potato is a self proclaimed master digger. He enjoys following the humans around and begging gor snacks!
Boopsie
Little Boopsie. Alot of sass in a little body. She is the life of the party. She enjoys giving me mini strokes because she loves to try and climb things she has no business climbing lol.
Turbo
Sweet shy Turbo. She arrived here as a wee one, and is growing like a stink weed. She's always been a bashful little thing.
Soup
Soup came to us from our friends at CMTR. This fella has MBD and some old shell damage, but you can't tell him nothin. He's pretty sure he's 100 pounds and bulletproof lol.
Bugatti
This beautiful girl is all about rest and relaxation. Her favorite activities are digging, napping and snacking!
Mordor
Mordor joined us from Florida. He loves looking cool observing his kingdom from the doorway of his house, and chasing me while I scoop his enclosure lol.
Teebs
Teebs, the largest resident here. This beautiful boy came to us from Georgia. He radiates wisdom. He does what he wants, when he wants. He's earned it!
Tordi
Tordi earned the nickname 'Nascar' here. He loves doing laps and patrolling his perimeter. He's fast too!
Tony
Tony! Affectionately dubbed Tony the Terror, he will run you right out of his enclosure and have zero regrets lol.
Choco
Choco. Our sweet boy. Choco had been through a serious medical journey that including being hospitalized at LSU for just over 30 days and again at out local vet for a week. With intensive care, he overcame a serious injury, and is back to thriving!
Tinkerbelle
Tinkerbelle came to us along with Choco. She is a sweet natured, quiet gal. She enjoys eating and napping most!
Breadstick
Breadstick (formerly known as Turtwig) came to us from Ohio. He has one of the prettiest shells I've seen (when it's clean . ) He reminds me of a grumpy old man even though he is quite young.
Gravel
Gravel is a sweetheart. Very gentle in nature and very inquisitive.
Salad
Salad came to us along with Soup, from our friends at CMTR. She is not a fan of photos, and prefers to be left to her business. She enjoys sleeping in her den and of course, eating lol.
Maverick
Maverick is our poster child for a successful rehabilitation story. This sweet boy fought his way back from near death and is now thriving!
From Our Tortoise Family​
One of the most pleasant rescues to work with! Great communications and quick turn around. We adopted two Sulcata tortoises both were health and well cared for.
Don’t hesitate to reach out and adopt. This rescue actually wants to find homes for the ones in their care and works towards making it happen. Thanks so much for a non stressful adoptions.
Shelly
Krystal is a phenomenal person and has a true love for all reptiles. She cares and devotes all of her time to caring for babies that need love and care!
Jonathan
I can’t thank Krystale and her family enough for taking in our sweet boy Tiki. He was a part of our family for 30 years, but I knew he deserved more than a life indoors and Krystale had gone above and beyond to make this the best decision I ever made.
TIki is so happy, and my heart is so full knowing he’s safe and happy in tortoise Disney land
Tanya
They depend on us. We depend on you.
As a small, family-run nonprofit, every donation makes a difference. Your support helps provide food, housing, veterinary care, and a safe place for tortoises who need us.
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Whether you give once, become a monthly supporter, sponsor a resident, or purchase something from our wish list, you're helping us continue this work.