Testimonials

I highly recommend Prairie Hills Tortoises if you are looking for high quality animals. I've known the owner for several years and have purchased several tortoises that she had bred and raised. I have found Louise to be friendly and easy to deal with, and the tortoises were shipped on time and with no issues. The tortoises arrived in great health, and there was plenty of information provided on their specific care requirements. I have dealt with many people in this hobby, and can say with no reservations whatsoever that Prairie Hills Tortoises have been the best that I've experienced.

I'm definitely looking forward to giving them my business again in the future!

— Carl, Ontario

 

When I decided to get a tortoise I did a lot of research online and contacted Louise with questions about husbandry, common errors, illnesses and feeding schedules. Louise was very knowledgeable and more than happy to share her knowledge with me. I hadn’t even committed yet to purchasing a tortoise. She made me feel excited and confident that I could take care of one and give the new tortoise a loving home.

When it came to ordering my special new family member Louise shipped all the way to Ontario! My tortoise came to me healthy and happy and safe. Louise stayed in touch to make sure the shipment went okay. She checked in with us to see how the adjustments were going for us both and she offered advice every time I asked for it.

I have had my tortoise since 2018 and still stay in touch with Louise regularly. I am glad to have an open relation with the breeder, I can see she is passionate about what she does and cares with her whole heart. If I had room, I would buy more from her!

Louise, you are an amazing breeder and I am so glad I chose to purchase my tortoise from you. Thank you!

— Suzanne and Hermes - Toronto, ON

 

Hello! I would like to stop by & say a quick thank you! I had my sweet baby Russian tortoise shipped out to me on Feb. 15 from Louise. She was & still is great to deal with! Thanks for everything. My baby arrived safely & is doing awesome! We love the little one. Keep up the great work!

— Denise & Pebbles - Stirling, AB

 

I’ve known Louise and Richard for well over ten years. Their vast knowledge on tortoises is truly impressive and covers a wide variety of species from the rare to the more common. I was lucky they came to visit me some years ago and enjoyed our time together talking tortoises and sharing experiences and ideas. To this day we consult with each other on all aspects of keeping tortoises in captivity and analysing how they thrive in the wild. They have been a great help to me and I hope I have reciprocated likewise.

I’m also aware that Louise and Richards reptile interests spread beyond tortoises and include both snakes and lizards, something of which I am not expert, but appreciate the knowledge they are always willing to share with me.

Knowing Louise and Richard as long as I do has given me the privilege to see their wonderful collection of tortoises grow, from adding rare species to their collection to boost assurance colonies in captivity, to the huge success they have had successfully breeding many of these species, which is not only fantastic for the tortoise community in Canada but globally too.

 I wish both Louise and Richard huge success with their website “Prairie Hills Tortoises”. I’m very confident the tortoise community in Canada is in the very best of hands, whether looking to start off and acquire a tortoise for the first time or for members of the community to increase their knowledge .......be under no illusions......this is the place for you!!!!!

 Best of Luck Louise and Richard, look forward to visiting you in the near future.

— Mick Delahunt -Ireland

 

Louise and I connected over our love and fascination for reptiles; it became quickly apparent how knowledgeable and resourceful Louise was with her experience in tortoises by the top quality hatchlings she produces and the condition her breeders are kept in. 5 star rating, highly recommend.

— Ashley MacLeod

 

Being an animal breeder requires a different level of fortitude and caring. Louise and Richard go above and beyond most when it comes to reptile knowledge, care and running a tortoise breeding business. I have personally known the two for many years and they have always put the animal first before anything else. Maintaining that level of "soul" goes as far as also supporting their customers after the purchase is made. Definitely one of the few good people in the industry that are in it for all the right reasons. Prioritizing conservation, sustainability, and longevity in their breeding projects, Louise and Richard are a Canadian staple and I hope to see their contribution to the hobby for many more years to come

— Vanan Kesavan

 

Louise and Richard are exactly the people you want to be breeding animals. Ethical and very concerned about what is best for the animals they breed. They have put years of effort into the species they work with, developing the correct habitats and diet. I have had many deals with them over the years, buying and selling. It has always gone smoothly, as one would expect with these two extremely professional individuals. You can buy with confidence and know you are getting a healthy animal that has been honestly represented.
— Tyrone Smith

Canadian Mouseman

 

I purchased my baby cherry head red foot tortoise from Prairie Hills tortoise.

The tortoise is very healthy and active. Louise has lots of experience with the tortoise, she took time to answer my questions, I learn lots of knowledge of tortoise from her. Next time I will still choose the Prairie Hills tortoise. Highly recommend!

— Jiewen -Winnipeg, MB

 

To the world of Tortoise fanatics and new comers.

I myself am very pleased to say that not only have I gained a new four legged shelled companion, but I have also gained a lovey friendship with Louise along this journey.

I have known Louise since I was a little girl riding the school bus with her three daughters. Their house was by far my favorite stop as there was so much life in this yard. Along the road there were Scottish Highland cows as well as llamas and alpacas. When Louise would walk down every day to meet her daughters at the bus, she always had a pack of dogs, cats, chickens and a goose and duck alongside with her. It really made for a good sight every day.

I have really fallen in love with the reptile world and have gotten myself a Bearded Dragon. This was how I reconnected with Louise as she also has a Beardie that she is caring for herself. We would exchange experiences and information that we had each learnt and come across during research. Once I fully settled with my Beardie, I was ready to expand on my own reptile collection. I was already so enthused by her wonderful and diverse collection of tortoises that I knew in my heart that this was the path I wanted to take.

On Nov 26, 2020 Louise messaged me with news of one of her Russian tortoise eggs hatching, and my new journey began. She has been more than helpful with all the information that I have needed for housing, husbandry, lighting, diet, and many other questions that I have thrown her way. She also informed me with day-to-day updates on my new baby along with its eating habits and daily weight gains. I am absolutely over the moon with my Baby Russian, he/she is growing stronger all the time and continuously gaining weight, confidence, curiosity, and developing a personality. Getting my tortoise through Louise has been an excellent experience and I would highly recommend her as a breeder. It is quite obvious to me that for her this is not just a business endeavor. To her this is a very special hobby that she is so incredibly passionate about, she is bringing in years of experience that she is more than happy to share to get you started and help you along the way.

It is with my total satisfaction that I would recommend Louise to anyone who is thinking about getting a Tortoise and adding a wonder sense of joy into their lives.

— Ariana Cowan

 

I bought our red-footed tortoise from Louise. Anytime day or night she was there for me and my family too let us know how our little one was doing before we got him! Louise sent us pictures and a lot of them when we asked for them! She answered many many questions for us and is still doing this to this day! Thank you for all your help! And we would buy from her again in a heartbeat!

— Barb, Andie and Erica

 

I'd like to submit a testimonial regarding Louise and her tortoises in Manitoba. To begin with, it is very hard to find exotic reptiles in Canada, especially Saskatchewan. So when my husband and I decided to add a Russian tortoise to our collection of reptiles and other exotics, it was close to impossible to find a source. After a lot of hunting, we stumbled across Louise through an ad on Kijiji. She had one available Russian tortoise left who was somewhat of a runt. Louise had spend countless hours dedicated to this little tortoise's health and did not let him go to a new home until she was sure that he was ready and could handle it. Louise is a very dedicated, experienced tortoise breeder with a huge heart, who thankfully, was willing to work with us on getting this little tortoise baby to our home in rural Saskatchewan, from Manitoba. She was very helpful with advice and ideas, and she was readily available to chat whenever I felt like I needed to seek knowledgeable information. Now, after much anticipation, our young Russian tortoise is finally home and is spoiled as a member of our family. He is healthy, alert and eating very well. I couldn't be happier with the outcome, and it is all thanks to Louise and her efforts! I would highly recommend anyone seeking healthy, happy tortoises to contact Louise. She is trustworthy, flexible, knowledgeable and easy to talk to. Her tortoises are high quality and cared for with the highest of adoration. I want to thank you, Louise for all that you have done for us, and for the new addition to our family. You are truly a gifted woman and I admire you. A million thanks!

— Janelle -Eston, SK

 

When my husband wanted to get a pet tortoise I was skeptical, to say the least. But he wore me down and I'm so glad he did. Our Russian tortoise, Barnaby, is an awesome pet. He requires very little work and has much more of a personality than I would have thought. Louise shipped him to us when he was a month old and still really little, but his appetite is definitely growing. He loves kale and dandelion especially. Louise sent us cactus for Barnaby to eat, food pellets, nutrition powder, calcium powder, etc. Louise is wonderful to deal with...very informative, helpful and extremely accommodating, even months after the adoption. We couldn't be happier or more pleased!

— Allison, Garett & Barnaby -Toronto, ON

 

Louise Bonser was incredible from the first time I started talking to her about getting a tortoise, right up to the day I had two babies in my hands! She is very knowledgeable and was extremely helpful to me. I knew I wouldn’t be ready to have a new baby for a year. So she let me start sending her monthly payments, leading up to the date I was ready to adopt not one, but two beautiful babies. She has helped me out with resources when I’ve been stuck and I would recommend her if you are looking to add a new tortoise to your life. Her babies were incredibly healthy and have been a joy in our lives ever since. Thanks Louise for trusting me with your beautiful babies.

— Elizabeth Blake -Calgary, AB

 

We got our Cherry Head, Red foot tortoise from Louise almost 2 yrs ago. He is healthy and lively and interactive. We couldn't be happier with him/her! Louise was Extremely helpful with the shipping process, and there to answer any questions we asked. I recommend Prairie Hill Tortoises very Highly.

— Cory

 

I got Squirt, the Russian tort, from Louise. Louise has been a dream to deal with. From the first point I met her, Louise has been exceptional in ensuring I have all the tools to grant my little buddy a long and happy life! He now is spoiled in a 4x2 enclosure and is happy and healthy! He loves his greens of all sorts and especially hibiscus flowers. Thanks so much Louise for helping me with my many questions with my little buddy! I wouldn't know half of what I do today without you!

— Kenzie Meger & Squirt -Regina, SK

 

I would (and have) totally recommend Prairie Hills Tortoises to anyone looking to invest in a tortoise! We happened to contact Louise at just the right time two years ago when looking for a baby red foot for our daughter for her birthday. There just happened to be a few available that hadn’t hatched yet and once they did, she sent pictures and we were able to let our daughter choose the one she wanted! I had so many questions on how to raise our “Peach” and Louise answered all my questions and helped me pick just the right stuff to make Peach’s home perfect!

I give Prairie Hills Tortoises 5 outta 5 Stars!

— Sheryl Jackson -Alberta, Canada

image0 Testmonial -Peach.jpeg

“Peach”

 

I came across Louise while trying to find a tortoise. Our Paediatrician recommended getting a tortoise for my son who has anxiety. Tortoises are great for being calm and slow. They don’t get excited or upset like many other domesticated animals. Tortoises show few emotions and for someone who struggles with anxiety you need that calm in your life. Lucy knows her name and loves her food. When speaking with Louise about our needs she told us about Lucy. She was 20 years old the time we got her. She is such a gem and the whole family adores her. Lucy has come to school with me in the late spring to visit my students and is the joy our townhouse complex for all the children. I love making a garden for her to pick fresh food during the summer and we always have her out with us in the yard in the sun wandering around or soaking in her pool. We have had Lucy for 3 years now and she is 23 yrs old. Louise has been fabulous at answering my texts whenever I have a question. Having Lucy and watching her is such a joy and I’m so happy she’s there for my son.

— Terri Dennison

“Lucy”

“Lucy”

 

I’ve had a wonderful very easy experience from start when I first contacted Louise at Prairie Hill tortoises about adopting my cherry head tortoise (Leo) to the time I picked him up from the airport! I am very thankful to have received him healthy and happy! He arrived very well packaged perfectly safe for a baby tortoise about to take a plane as I live in BC. Louise was in contact each step of the process and made the experience very smooth!

— Keiffer Dobson

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“Leo”