For a long time, Matcha was out there alone.

A 200-pound Sulcata tortoise wandering without safety, without proper care, and with chronic infections that had likely been building for far too long. He had been seen in the area, but suffering like his often happens quietly. Tortoises are incredibly good at surviving. But survival is not the same as living.

When the Hidden Hills community chose compassion, everything changed for Matcha.

He was found after wandering out of open space and onto private property. A family cared enough to stop, to help, and to make sure he did not disappear back into suffering. A local veterinarian referred them to Joshua Tree Reptile Haven, and when the call came, we said yes.

Now Matcha is safe.

But safe is only the beginning.

Matcha has chronic infections and needs specialized veterinary care, treatment, and ongoing support. Animals like him do not just need a place to be dropped off. They need a sanctuary prepared to take on the full weight of what recovery means.

That is who we are.

Joshua Tree Reptile Haven is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tortoise and turtle sanctuary that rescues, rehabilitates, and provides lifelong care for tortoises and turtles with nowhere else to go. We do not rehome them. We are their forever home. When we take in an animal like Matcha, we are committing to the veterinary care, housing, heat, nutrition, recovery, and lifelong support he will need from this point forward.

Your donation will help cover:

Veterinary exams and diagnostics

Treatment for his chronic infections

Surgery and follow-up care if needed

Medication and wound care

Specialized nutrition, housing, and habitat

Lifelong sanctuary care

Matcha did not just need rescuing. He needed someone willing to keep going after the rescue was over.

That is the part most people never see — the treatment, the healing, the waiting, the daily care, the commitment. But that is where real rescue lives.

If you would like to help Matcha heal, please donate and share his story. Every dollar helps us give him the care he needs. Every share gives his story a better chance of reaching someone who wants to help.

Tonight, Matcha is no longer alone.

Thank you for helping us give him the life he should have had all along.