For nearly 50 years, Brennan’s in Los Angeles drew noisy crowds to watch turtles being handled, displayed, and raced across a barroom floor for entertainment. When the bar shut down, nine red-eared sliders were left needing a safe future and specialized lifelong care. In Defense of Animals stepped in to ensure that these sensitive animals would never again be treated as props, but would finally know the space, peace, and dignity they had always deserved.

Our original plan was to create a permanent outdoor habitat for them at our Freedom Farms. However, as we evaluated what would be required to provide these aquatic turtles with the strongest possible long-term environment, an even better opportunity emerged.

Southern California Turtle Rescue, a volunteer-run turtle rescue and rehoming program operated by the nonprofit Southern California Koi Rescue Inc., offered the turtles a home in a spacious, specially equipped outdoor pond designed around their needs. Recognizing that this placement would give them the environment and specialized care they deserve, we gladly put their well-being first.

Our team drove the turtles four hours from Creston to Victorville, California, to help them begin this next chapter. Their new pond includes a pump, lighting, abundant rocks for basking, and plenty of room to swim, explore, and rest in the sun.

The turtles are no longer being handled and displayed for entertainment. They can now spend their days simply being turtles.

Rescue sometimes requires plans to evolve. At Freedom Farms, our responsibility is not to hold on to every animal who comes through our doors, but to make the decision that offers each individual the best possible quality of life.

We are deeply grateful to Southern California Turtle Rescue for welcoming these nine turtles and providing a home suited to their needs.

Learn more about the animals and the efforts we're making at our Creston-based sanctuary.