A family-owned pet store in League City, Texas, is hoping for the return of a baby tortoise that was recently stolen. The incident took place on Saturday, August 23, when a customer slipped the tiny tortoise into his pocket and left without paying for it.
A Family-Oriented Shop Hit by Theft
Rainforest Pets, a business that has been operating for over 20 years, is known for being a family-friendly store where customers are encouraged to interact with animals.
Store manager Kira Cusimano explained that the thief, who had been shopping for other items, used the opportunity to pocket one of the baby tortoises that had been placed in a plastic tote. These totes are designed to provide the humidity that baby tortoises need to survive.
“We didn’t catch it until the next day when we reviewed the surveillance footage,” Cusimano said. The video shows the man wearing a red t-shirt and matching basketball shorts picking up the tortoise, slipping it into his pocket, and later paying for other items before leaving.
The Tortoise’s Care and Survival Concerns
The stolen tortoise is only a few months old and requires very specific care to survive. Cusimano expressed her concern for the animal, explaining that without the proper conditions—especially high humidity and a proper diet—the baby tortoise may not survive.
“They’re very, very sensitive, especially at this age,” she said. “If they dry out or don’t have a proper diet, they just won’t thrive.”
The pet store is particularly worried because of the fragile state of the baby tortoise and its potential to face a shortened lifespan without the right care.
The baby tortoises, which sell for about $150, are rare, with only two siblings still alive out of a group of 10. The surviving tortoises can live for up to 200 years, underscoring the long-term importance of providing proper care.
A Call for the Thief to Return the Tortoise
Cusimano emphasized that the store is still a family-oriented business despite tightening security measures in response to the theft. “We used to be a store very family-oriented and let everyone hold stuff, and we still do. But now it’s much more locked down,” she said.
Her main concern, however, remains the tortoise’s welfare. “I hope that you take care of it, maybe do some research, or if you have any good in your heart, to return it,” she pleaded.
Police Report and Surveillance Footage
The pet store has filed a report with the League City Police Department and shared the surveillance footage on its Facebook page, hoping it leads to the suspect’s arrest. The store also hopes this incident will serve as a cautionary tale for other pet stores, encouraging them to take extra precautions to prevent similar thefts in the future.
