Turtle Rescue of North Carolina

Turtle Rescue of North Carolina is a nonprofit dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick and injured native North Carolina turtles, reptiles, and amphibians. Founded in May 2024 by Executive Director Ashley McEntire, the organization fills a gap few others cover: specialized care for reptile and amphibian species in the area.

Ashley lives in Indian Trail with her husband, their two daughters, and a houseful of rescue pets. She came to wildlife rehabilitation by chance. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke with a degree in Business Administration, she didn’t know the field existed. The love of animals came first. As a child she brought home every lost pet she found and kissed every toad she could catch, looking for her prince. As an adult, she spent years fostering companion animals with rescue organizations.

The turning point was an injured wild bird. Helping it led her to discover there were groups devoted entirely to wildlife in need. She began volunteering at large rehabilitation centers nearby, learning under licensed rehabbers, exotic veterinarians, and other animal experts, and the work took hold. After earning her wildlife rehabilitation license in 2017, she went on to care for thousands of wild animals: songbirds, birds of prey, small mammals, snakes, amphibians, and turtles.

Reptiles always held a particular place for her. Seeing how few organizations in her area specialized in turtles and other reptile species, she founded Turtle Rescue of North Carolina to meet that need.