Companion tortoise missing from Seven Hills home

SEVEN HILLS, Ohio (WJW) – A Northeast Ohio family hopes someone can help them find Shelly.

Shelly is a Russian tortoise and was last seen Thursday afternoon, July 25, on N Circle View Drive in Seven Hills .

The family believes Shelly escaped his outdoor enclosure.

Shelly is about 7-inches in diameter and has a white resin patch on his shell. The family says he’s more vulnerable because of that patch which is healing an injury.

While he may not be fast, he is built for endurance.

According to the family, his species can roam for up to 7 miles a day.

Here’s where to look:

Shelly is a burrowing animal and digs into the dirt to sleep or hide.

He could be in leaf piles, garden beds, or other areas of the yard.

Shelly will be looking for food, his family says, and will be looking to warm himself in the afternoon sun, possibly climbing onto a rock.

He can climb up a few inches, they say.

Shelly will likely not be around large water sources, the family says, but will get his water from puddles.

Shelly is a member of the family and much more than a pet.

According to his family, Shelly has been a companion animal for the family’s teenager who has autism.

“We are devastated that he is missing and are hoping someone comes across him soon,” Crystal Strobel told FOX 8.

She asks anyone who spots Shelly to give her a call at (216)785-6944.

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