Ashlin Cooke, owner of Pelham Pet Shop, 144 5th Ave., told The Daily Voice that she found the tortoise Aug. 23 when she opened the shop. It had been left outside the front door of the store in a box without water or bedding at about 2 a.m. that morning, according to footage from her security camera.
She speculated that it's likely an abandoned pet, but it also may have been stolen from another pet shop. The animals require a lot of care and some people aren't up to that responsibility, Cooke said
"Some pet owners have difficultly giving them the proper environment," she said.
The tortoise is about 8 years old and likely a breed from South America, Cooke said. It's in "excellent" health and was checked by an are veterinarian shortly after she found it.
Cooke is asking anyone with any information about the tortoise to contact her at the store at (914) 738-1313.
Cooke said she plans to keep the tortoise for about another week and if the rightful owner doesn't come forward, she will donate it to a rescue organization or another group that can properly care for it.
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