George may not be the fastest animal on wheels, but steady wins the race!
George is a huge 11-year-old Sulcata tortoise – saved from an exotic reptile farm in Knocksville, Tennessee by Jaime Loebener – who now has something to shellibrate!
Born with a metabolic disease, George’s bones never fully developed in his back legs, leaving them weak and unable to support his own weight.
Since a Sulcata tortoise can live to be more than 100 years old, Jaime knew she needed to find a solution for him. After searching online she found Walkin’ Pets, a pet mobility company.
The Walkin’ Pets team was up for the challenge and designed a custom tortoise wheelchair with a special base to accommodate the contour of George’s under shell and a harnessing system designed to expand as he grows.
Jaime said: “He uses his front legs to pull his way around slowly and clumsily. The bigger he’s gotten, the more difficult this has been for him.”
