Miley Cyrus adopting a shelter tortoise might sound like a quirky celebrity headline, yet the story behind it is a genuinely uplifting example of how animal rescue can change a life in the most unexpected way. At the center of this story is Teru, a sulcata tortoise who went from wandering the streets of Palmdale, California, to living in the care of one of the world’s biggest pop stars. Along the way, his journey highlights the importance of adopting rescue animals of all kinds, not just dogs and cats.

Teru’s early life is largely unknown, which is common in animal rescue. The article explains that he was found as a stray in Palmdale and eventually entered the shelter system. Erica Fox, Director of Animal Placement at the Los Angeles rescue organization Wags & Walks, notes that this mystery is typical. When an animal is found without identification or clear signs of ownership, staff can rarely learn where they came from or why they were abandoned. Teru was simply another stray in need of a safe place, even if that place was not originally set up with tortoises in mind.

What makes this story remarkable is how a dog-focused rescue ended up placing a sulcata tortoise with Miley Cyrus. According to Sofia Ranalli, Marketing & Communications Lead at Wags & Walks, the connection unfolded through a chain of coincidences. Miley’s sister, Brandi Cyrus, visited the Wags & Walks adoption center to appear on an episode of The Dog & Pony Show podcast hosted by Kelsey Meyer. During a tour of the facility, Brandi mentioned that Miley hoped to adopt a tortoise at some point. Around that same time, Wags & Walks learned that a tortoise had entered the care of one of their partner shelters. The team quickly realized that this was a rare opportunity to help a non-traditional animal and match him with someone who was specifically looking for his species.

Teru is a sulcata tortoise, a species known for its long lifespan and significant care needs. The article stresses that sulcata tortoise care is not something to approach casually. At roughly 20 years old, Teru could live another 80 years or more. Fox shares that Wags & Walks took this very seriously when speaking with Miley Cyrus, making sure she fully understood the responsibility involved. One of the key points they discussed was long-term planning. Since tortoises can live well over a century, many guardians include their tortoise in their will so the animal continues to receive proper care even after the original owner is no longer able to provide it.

Wikimedia Commons/Sgt. Michael Connors

Beyond longevity, Fox explains that sulcata tortoises require an environment that supports their natural behaviors. They need secure housing with access to shade and a shallow area of water so they can soak and stay hydrated. Protection from predators is essential. These tortoises also love to dig, which means their enclosure must be properly reinforced to prevent escape. As with any companion animal, nutrition is important, along with consistent access to clean water and suitable food. The rescue team did not treat the celebrity status of the adopter as a shortcut. They took the time to ensure that even a seasoned animal lover with resources understood the practical realities of caring for such a unique pet.

Beyond Teru’s individual story, the article addresses a wider trend in animal rescue. More non-traditional animals are appearing in shelters and with rescue organizations across the United States. Fox notes that Wags & Walks and their partner shelters have long encountered animals such as pigs, birds, and horses. However, the numbers seem to have grown in recent years. Factors like irresponsible breeding, rising veterinary costs, and the broader cost of living can all contribute to people surrendering animals or failing to provide adequate care, which eventually brings these animals into the rescue system.

Miley Cyrus’s tortoise adoption sends a meaningful message at a time when many shelters are facing serious overcrowding. Wags & Walks sees this particular adoption as a chance to expand public understanding of what rescue can look like. Fox emphasizes that while most people picture dogs and cats when they think of shelters, there are many different types of animals in need of homes. The organization hopes Teru’s story shows that rescue is not limited to the most common pets. A tortoise, a pig, a bird, or a horse can all be waiting for a second chance.

At the same time, Wags & Walks is clear about its primary mission. Fox describes Teru’s case as a very special situation that the team was able to embrace only because a permanent home was already lined up. The rescue will likely continue to focus on what it knows best, which is saving dogs. Even so, helping Teru underscores the organization’s willingness to step up when the right opportunity appears and when it aligns with responsible outcomes for the animal involved.

The article also highlights what individuals can do if they are inspired by stories like Teru’s but cannot adopt an animal themselves. Fox points out several ways to support animal rescue without making a lifetime commitment. Fostering is one significant option since foster homes allow rescues to say “yes” to more animals by freeing space and providing individualized care. For those unable to foster, volunteering time, donating funds or supplies, and engaging with rescues on social media all make a real difference. These contributions help organizations like Wags & Walks keep saving lives, especially during periods when local shelter systems are overwhelmed.

Wags & Walks rescues over 2,500 dogs each year, according to Fox, and that scale of work depends heavily on community support. The group takes in pregnant dogs, mothers and their litters, breeds that are often stereotyped unfairly, and animals with serious medical needs. Ranalli adds that one of the organization’s core goals is to ease pressure on nearby shelters that are struggling with unprecedented overcrowding. By moving dogs into foster and adoptive homes, Wags & Walks helps open space and resources for the many animals still waiting in public shelters.

Teru’s path from an anonymous stray in Palmdale to the home of an internationally known artist illustrates why animal rescue continues to matter, and not just for familiar companion animals. It shows that a chance encounter, a podcast invitation, and a single remark about wanting a tortoise can combine into a lifeline for an animal that might otherwise have been overlooked. The author notes that Miley Cyrus has a long-standing record of supporting animals, including caring for several rescues and even auctioning wardrobe pieces from her Hannah Montana days to help animal welfare causes. Her decision to adopt Teru from a rescue organization sets a visible example that adopting, rather than buying, can be an option even for unusual pets, provided people are prepared for the responsibility. Stories like this one remind readers that every species of animal deserves a safe, loving home and that with thoughtful effort and community support, the stars sometimes align in exactly the right way.

Read more at https://creators.yahoo.com/lifestyle/story/miley-cyrus-adopted-a-shelter-tortoise-and-the-rescue-story-behind-it-will-make-your-day-160957820.html