In 2005 My husband late husband Jim and I built a small tortoise preserve on our ranch to give a home to some unwanted pet desert tortoises that we heard about. We adopted several tortoises with the assistance of California Turtle and Tortoise Club. Living out here in the desert it was a common occurrence that desert tortoises outlived their owners or were no longer wanted by children. But they were not able to be released into the desert with much a chance of survival. Our best friend, Dr. Persky, helped us establish a safe, nurturing environment here on or ranch. He was San Diego’s No. 1 tortoise and turtle doctor, saving many lives, mending broken shells, and educating owners on how to create a safe environment for this unusual pet. We are sad that Dr. Persky is no longer with us, but these tortoises live on in his name!