Abandoned tortoises turned in to ACCT Philly after rescued from alleyway in Hunting Park

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A woman in Philadelphia did the right thing to help out two abandoned tortoises.

She found the reptiles in an alleyway off North American Street in the city's Hunting Park section.

It happens to be right near the shelter for Philadelphia's Animal Care and Control Team.

The tortoises are now at the ACCT Philly shelter and in good condition, making it all the more of a surprise why they would be abandoned.

"These are actually in pretty good condition," said ACCT Philly Executive Director Sarah Barnett. "So, we are concerned they're actually someone's pets and a significant other maybe put them out in the cold out of spite because they are really in good shape."

Shelter officials say turtles are not unusual to have come into the shelter, however, sulcata tortoises are also not a common sight.

A sulcata tortoise will grow bigger than most people expect and can live to be 85 to 150 years old. The lifespan of a Russian tortoise is between 40 to 50 years old and are commonly sold at pet stores.

ACCT officials say reptiles are a commitment just like any pet.

"They truly need a committed owner with the space they need to thrive. Just because you can easily buy one doesn't mean that you should," they said.

Barnett says someone has already come forward to adopt them, but the game plan is to wait a few days to see if the owner of these tortoises comes to claim them.

The folks at ACCT Philly want to remind people to not release your exotic pets as they cannot survive. They ask for owners to contact the shelter if you can no longer take care of them yourself.

"We are here for all animals and we really want the community to be aware of that to bring them here instead of just leaving them out in the community loose," Barnett said.

Officials say if anyone is missing their tortoises to contact the ACCT.