Found a turtle while mowing the grass

So I was mowing, and sitting by the fence in my backyard was a red ear slider, very dry, so I put him in a small kiddy pool, with a little bit of water, plenty of dry space too. Now my problem, I know it can't be wild because the closest body of water is a good 3 miles away, through city streets, the ditch by my house is very dry and hasn't had an abundance of life since the late 90's. it has to be a pet, but one) how would it have gotten away, two) its more likely that someone put him out on purpose. Now I like turtles but don't really want one, can't release a pet turtle cause that isn't right. But don't know where I could take it. I'm gonna post signs on local mailboxes around me in case it's an escapee, any and all recommendations on what I should do here would be very appreciated?

Check around and see if there's an animal rescue that takes reptiles. That way, if you can't find an owner, you can at least give it to a place that will care for it until it can be adopted or where it can live out the rest of its days in peace.

Check to see if there is a herp society in your area, the one I belong to takes in dozens of red eared sliders every year.

Are red eared sliders native to your area? They've established colonies in many parts of the world where they are not native and are considered an invasive species. It's never a good idea to release a red eared slider outside of it's natural range even if the local pond has dozens of them.

They are native here, it's just cause of my area that I'm sure it's a pet, called the local animal shelter but they take furry not scaled. Well worse case I have a new project, lol. Thank you for the fast replies!!

It may well be wild especially if it's been raining a lot. Last year I found some hatchling snappers near a bone dry drainage ditch with no ponds, lakes or rivers anywhere even remotely nearby. I'm guessing the mom laid the eggs after spring rain or melted snow filled the area with water. So if it's been wet down by you it may have just ventured out too far and everything dried up.

That being said, if it is someone's pet I hope they come claim him. Best of luck with him if no other shelters will take him in.

Check out the Turtle and Tortoise Club, they might be able to refer you to a group in your area. The one chapter here does a lot of turtle rescue, including red-eared sliders that are removed from the wild (as an invasive species).

Wow guys!! Thank you for the responses!! So I've thought long and hard about this, it drove me crazy at work today, I've got a 10 gallon with filter and lights, figure I will use this till next payday when I can get him a proper enclosure, 55 gallon or bigger. Any advice about turtle care in general?

Turtles are VERY messy, you basically have two options in keeping the water clean. Get the biggest filter you can afford OR the other option (and the one I went for) is to do a complete water change once a week.

What I was thinking was go for something between 55 and 90 gallons, and use a filter system for 125+, that should allow a good flow and 20% per week change out should work out great, I'm researching options now

So to update, the turtle is eating and doing well, I will be setting up his new 50 gallon home tomorrow, complete with an above tank basking area so he can have as much room to swim as possible, I'm thinking of adding some fish, any ideas? I know they might get eaten but it will add a lot of life to the tank.