We are proud supporters of World Turtle Day and we encourage you to take part in raising awareness with us.

“Kellytoy wants to show our support for American Turtle Rescue, who originated World Turtle Day back in 2000,” says Kellytoy CEO Jonathan Kelly. “Let’s help call more attention to the increasingly threatened plight of these magnificent creatures that have been around since the days of dinosaurs some 200 million years ago. And, of course, what better spokesman could we have than our own eloquent, Henry the Turtle?”

May 23 is the 19th annual international “World Turtle Day” and
Kellytoy, maker of the delightful, award-winning and collectible Squishmallows plush gift line, is marking the occasion in a turtle-y awesome way—by giving away Henry the Turtle Squishmallows prize packs to a lucky winner every day from May 18 through May 22. The winner pack will consist of Henry the Turtle in four sizes (3.5”, 8”, 12” and 16” size; approx. $50 prize value). Entering the World Turtle Day giveaway is easy: follow @worldturtleday on Instagram and follow the entry instructions when announced (no purchase is necessary to enter; US only).

American Turtle Rescue created and launched World Turtle Day to increase respect for and knowledge of one of the world’s oldest creatures. Now observed around the globe, turtle and tortoise lovers are taking “shellfies” and holding shellebrations in the U.S., Canada, Pakistan, Borneo, India, Australia, the UK, Greece and many other countries. These gentle animals survived 200 million years, yet they are rapidly disappearing as a result of smuggling, the exotic food industry, habitat destruction, climate change and the cruel pet trade. Unless something is done, biologists and other experts predict the disappearance of turtles and tortoises in the wild within the next 50 years. For more information, visit www.worldturtleday.org

Ways you can make a difference according to the World Turtle Day website:

1. NEVER BUY

   a turtle or tortoise from a pet shop as it increases demand from the wild.

2. NEVER REMOVE

   turtles or tortoises from the wild unless they are sick or injured

3. EMERGENCY CARE

   If a tortoise is crossing a busy street, pick it up and send it in the same direction it was going – if you try to make it go back, it will turn right around again.

4. REPORT THE SALE

   of any turtle or tortoise of any kind less than four inches. This is illegal throughout the U.S.

5. REPORT THE CRUELTY

   or illegal sales of turtles and tortoises to your local animal control shelter.

6. WRITE LETTERS

   to legislators asking them to keep sensitive habitat preserved or closed to off road vehicles, and to prevent off shore drilling that can lead to more endangered sea turtle deaths

About Kellytoy

Kellytoy manufacturers a portfolio of award winning everyday and seasonal plush products that includes its best-selling Squishmallows, Kellybaby as well as a pet products line called Wags & Purrs™. Over the past three decades, Kellytoy has positioned itself to meet the needs of its customers in mass market, gift/specialty/toy retailers, party and pet stores, supermarkets, discount stores, drug stores, amusement parks and even crane machines in arcades the world over. Kellytoy also makes products in collaboration with leading classic characters, including major licenses, as well as blockbuster theatrical franchises.
www.kellytoy.com

About American Tortoise Rescue (ATR)

American Tortoise Rescue is a nonprofit founded in 1990 for the protection of all species of turtles and tortoises. We have rescued more than 4,000 since inception. Foundlings that cannot be adopted because of ill health remain in the care of ATR for the remainder of their lives. ATR acts as a clearinghouse for information about turtle care. We work to abolish “live market” slaughter of turtles in the US, the sale of reptiles on sites like craigslist.com and the cruel importation and exploitation of a variety of species.
www.tortoiserescue.com

We thank our friends at Kellytoy for providing us with Henry the Turtle and all this great information about #WorldTurtleDay so we can help make a difference in the population of the turtle and tortoise species. We love our wildlife and will continue to raise awareness and support such a great cause.