A Clapton family is appealing for help to find their pet tortoise, Vinny, who escaped from their home near the Millfields cricket field and has been missing for around ten days.
Vinny is an eight-year-old Horsfield’s tortoise. “In tortoise years, he’s a baby,” said owner Chelsie Hoxby.
The family believe he went missing on or around 10–11 October and is now at risk as the weather turns colder and wetter.
Unlike tortoises that hibernate through the winter, Vinny depends on a UV heat lamp to survive and will not hibernate, so he cannot last long without shelter and warmth. He is also unable to get back into the garden the way he got out.
“We are desperately trying to locate him before he gets too cold and wet,” Chelsie told the Citizen.
The family are asking neighbours to check their gardens, under plants, inside bin stores and under parked cars, as Vinny is likely to have tucked himself away somewhere he feels safe.
Bin crews, park rangers, neighbours and local school children have all joined the search, and homemade “Wanted” and “Please look for Vinny” posters have gone up in the area.
“We haven’t found him yet but have found some wonderful community spirit,” said Ms Hoxby.
Anyone who finds Vinny is asked to call Chelsie on 07885 729101.
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