A Saraland family is asking for help finding their pet tortoise, which went missing near the Big Lots on Saraland’s main commercial road.
The tortoise’s family, including a three-year-old boy, is hoping for the safe return of their much-loved reptile. Waylon Whidden shared the appeal on social media, which was picked up and amplified by the City of Saraland’s official Facebook page.
Disappeared Monday Near Big Lots
The tortoise was last seen on Monday, June 25, 2018, in the area near Big Lots in the Saraland commercial corridor. In posts shared on Facebook, Whidden offered a $100 reward for the tortoise’s safe return and described how much his young son misses his best friend.
Roads in the area see heavy vehicle traffic during daytime hours, and residents familiar with tortoise roaming habits note that the animals can travel surprising distances from home if left unsupervised. Tortoises are also known to dig into leaf litter, mulch, or beneath sheds and porches — making yards and outdoor spaces in the surrounding neighborhood worth checking.
How to Help
If you spot a tortoise in the Saraland area, particularly near the Big Lots shopping corridor, keep it in a safe, shaded area and contact the family through the City of Saraland’s Facebook page or reach out by direct message to Waylon Whidden. In hot weather, providing a shallow dish of water and shade can help keep the animal safe until it can be returned home.
With Mobile County’s warm summer temperatures, a well-hydrated tortoise can survive outdoors for weeks, but getting them back into care at home is the happy outcome everyone is rooting for. Saraland residents have a history of coming together quickly for lost pets — and a three-year-old missing his best friend is exactly the sort of reason neighbors check their yards.