Sponsor a Turtle

Please join us to support the Sea Turtle Hospital by sponsoring the care of one of these current hospital patients.

Sponsor the Care of a Turtle

Sponsor the Care of a Turtle

The Sea Turtle Hospital at the University of Florida Whitney Laboratory is helping to conserve threatened Northeast Florida sea turtles by providing rehabilitation, research, and education.

You can join us to support the Sea Turtle Hospital by sponsoring the care of one of our current hospital patients! We value and rely on community support, so each sponsorship is greatly appreciated.

By donating, you’ll support our work to rehab and release these fantastic animals. Your sponsorship can provide them with necessary medical supplies, nutritious food, critical exams, and care at the Sea Turtle Hospital.

Suggested amount to sponsor the care of a turtle is $50. We appreciate gifts above $50 as well.

For joining us, you'll receive:

  • A personalized certificate and choice to have it mailed to your home or emailed
  • A monthly email update
  • Advance notice of the turtle’s release (attendance at release not guaranteed)

You can even give a turtle sponsorship as a gift!

Sponsor a Turtle Certificate Example

Please allow 2 weeks for mailed certificate to arrive. Emailed certificates sent within 3-4 business days. 

For questions about sponsoring, please contact wlmb@whitney.ufl.edu.

Sponsor a Turtle

Turtles Available for Sponsoring

Perfect Name for a Unique Story!

Zero

More

Released 'Sponsor a Turtle' Patients

Sea Turtle Pegasus Released

Woman releasing sea turtle into ocean

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Pegasus returned to their ocean home on January 4 and had a private release at Ormond Beach, Florida. Sponsor families and friends were invited to attend. Read More


Sea Turtle Hei Hei Released

Woman releasing sea turtle into the ocean

One of the Sea Turtle Hospital's fan favorites with his/her goofy personality returned to their ocean home on November 30. Sea Turtle Hospital patient Hei Hei received their swimming papers after six months of care and had a private release at Toronita Ave Beach Park in Wilbur by the Sea, Florida. Sponsor families and friends were able to attend. Read More


Sea Turtle Abu Released

Sea turtle Abu being released into ocean

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Abu received their swimming papers and had a private release on September 28 at the beach side of River to Sea Preserve Boardwalk (Marineland Beach) in the town of Marineland, Florida. Read More


Sea Turtle Yzma Released

Veterinarian with sea turtle in container just prior to release

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Yzma received her swimming papers and was released on August 31 by Sea Turtle Hospital Veterinarian Dr. Brooke. Yzma had been cared for by Sea Turtle Hospital staff since April 2023. Read More


Sea Turtle Colonel Released

Women holding a sea turtle walking toward ocean to release

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Colonel received her swimming papers and had a private release on July 20 at Toronita Avenue Beach Park in Wilbur-By-The-Sea, Florida.  Read More


Sea Turtle Rajah Released

Woman holding sea turtle on beach with crowd getting ready to release the turtle to the ocean

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Rajah received their swimming papers and was released June 21 at the beach side of River to Sea Preserve Boardwalk (Marineland Beach) in the town of Marineland, Florida. Read More


Sea Turtle Yardstick Released

Sea Turtle Yardstick prior to returning to the ocean

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Yardstick received their swimming papers and was released March 30 at the beach side of River to Sea Preserve Boardwalk (Marineland Beach) in the town of Marineland, Florida. Read More


Sea Turtle Rocket Power Released

Sea Turtle swimming in tank

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Rocket Power received their swimming papers and was released February 2 on Ormond Beach! Read More


Sea Turtles Union and Rafter Released

Sea Turtle Hospital staff each holding a turtle at the beach before the turtles being released into the ocean

Rafter and Union marked a total of 66 animals the Sea Turtle Hospital has released since opening in October 2015. Read More


Sea Turtles Allen Wrench and Engineer Released September 27

Sea Turtle Release

Sea Turtle Hospital patients Allen Wrench and Engineer received their swimming papers and were released on September 27. Allen Wrench was a public release at River to Sea Preserve Boardwalk (Marineland Beach) in the town of Marineland, Florida and Engineer was a private release at Gamble Rogers State Park, Florida. Read More


Sea Turtles Artichoke and Granny Smith Released July 14

Sea Turtles Granny Smith, Artichoke Release

Sea Turtle Hospital patients Artichoke and Granny Smith received their swimming papers and were released at River to Sea Preserve on July 14. Thank you to everyone who helped welcome Artichoke and Granny Smith home! Read More


Sea Turtle Kiwi Released December 9

Sea Turtle Kiwi

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Kiwi was released at Washington Oaks State Park on December 9. The release was shown live on the Sea Turtle Hospital's Facebook. Read More


Sea Turtle Grape Released November 18

Sea Turtle Grape Release

Sea Turtle Hospital patient Grape was released at Marineland Beach, directly across the street from Whitney Lab on November 18. Grape is a small juvenile green turtle that was found buoyant and struggling to dive in St. Augustine at Camachee Cove Marina on March 18. Read More


Sea Turtle Patient Asparagus Release Tuesday, July 20

 Sea Turtle Asparagus

We are excited to announce that we will release Asparagus on Tuesday, July 20 at 12 p.m. at the beach side of River to Sea Preserve Boardwalk (Marineland Beach) in the town of Marineland, Florida. Prior to release, Asparagus will be fitted with a satellite tag from a partnership between the Sea Turtle Conservancy and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources! Read More