Beloved Tortoise, 'Mr. Whistles,' Lost In Temecula: Have You Seen Him?

TEMECULA, CA — The Temecula owners of a tortoise lovingly known as Mr. Whistles took to social media for help this week.

The tortoise has been missing since Tuesday, when it escaped from their home in the Starlight Ridge area of Temecula, according to Shawna Nichols. Its last known area was near Margarita and Southern Cross roads.

If you see the wayward Mr. Whistles, the owners would appreciate a Found Report on the Animal Friends of the Valley website or contact via social media.

The Animal Friends of the Valleys does not currently have a missing tortoise in its care. They do, however, have a found parakeet that was brought to the shelter on Wednesday.

If you have found a lost pet, Petco also has some ideas on how to handle getting the animal back to its rightful owner:

• Report the pet you found on Petco Love Lost with a photo to make the pet visible to pet parents searching for their lost pet.
• Check for tags on the pet’s collar and look for contact information. If there are no tags, take them to a Petco, vet, or shelter to scan for a microchip.
• Call your local animal shelter and vet’s office and report that you’ve found a lost cat or dog.
• Speak with neighbors and anyone else in the area who might know who owns the pet.