Pflugerville - Hutto Edition | July 2025

Nonpro t

BY GRACIE WARHURST

Pebbles, a 9-month-old sulcata, could grow to weigh as much as 60 pounds.

Brenda Bush, a former teacher, began volunteering with the rescue ve years ago before taking over the operation.

GRACIE WARHURSTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Central Texas Tortoise Rescue in Pugerville gives lifelong companions a second chance

The tortoise rescue has 20 enclosures on the property that allow Bush to care for the animals.

In Brenda Bush’s backyard, a sulcata tortoise named Otis roams his muddy enclosure after a rainy night. At just 11 years old, he’s already 60 pounds—and will keep growing over his projected 100-year lifespan. Otis isn’t just Bush’s pet—he was also the rst permanent resident of the Central Texas Tortoise Rescue’s Pugerville facility, which operates out of Bush’s home. The history Bush, a former special education teacher, began volunteering with the rescue ve years ago. Just two years after becoming founder Krista McDermid’s rst foster home, Bush took over the nonprot organization, which will celebrate its 10-year anniversary this year. Today, Bush cares for upwards of 20 animals with a network of enclosures on her property. Along with two other facilities in Bertram and Bandera, CTTR has 12 foster homes around Texas. CTTR receives box turtles and tortoises from across the U.S.—over 15 states to date—as one of the few rescues in the region able to handle such volume. “In the northern states, there’s very few tortoise and turtle rescues,” Bush said. “And in the south, they’re few and far between.”

The impact Bush takes care of most of the rehabilitation for the animals that come in with health issues like metabolic bone disease and shell deformities that often occur from improper care. In these cases, the biggest issue is education, Bush said. Many owners who adopt tortoises or box turtles don’t realize how long they live, how large they get or what they need to thrive. CTTR also takes in healthy animals whose owners have passed away or can no longer care for them. “It’s just somebody else’s turn,’” Bush said. What’s next Soon, the rescue will take on a partnership with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas A&M University to help temporarily house wild Texas tortoises conscated from illegal captivity. Once healthy, they’ll be released back into the wild. “This August they’ll start a small group, and then next spring it’s going to be this huge state- wide push,” Bush said. Get involved CTTR takes monetary and supply donations, but Bush said right now, the biggest need is more adopters. To adopt, applicants need to have a proper

Central Texas Tortoise Rescue has some permanent residents.

enclosure and be able to answer questions about feeding and care. Adoption fees range from $75 to $150, depending on the species, and go toward food, vet care and materials. CTTR also oers tours of its Pugerville facility to educate the public about tortoises. Visitors can book an open time slot online to see the enclo- sures, ask questions and interact with the animals. “Lots of times people will come to learn how to build an enclosure, which we love,” Bush said. “We’re like, ‘yes, please come and see how to do this.’ It’s not that hard, you know?” More information about Central Texas Tortoise Rescue can be found at www.texastortoiserescue.com.

PFLUGERVILLE HUTTO EDITION