i'm going up to a lake in new york, which is about a three hour trip to get there, and i'm just not sure if i could bring him with me. I will probably have to do that if it comes to it.
Gonna be away for a while
- Thread starter alj210
- Start date
It's Lake George, pretty sure it's around the Adirondack mountains or something
laurie
Retired Moderator
I thought of offering to cham sit for you, but the cost of shipping him is as much as the $100 you don't have.
That is a living creature you have responsibly for. I don't want to sound mean, but is your trip as important as your chams life?
If your mother would not let a person on here Cham sit for you, explain to her that you have most likely wasted the cost of the chameleon. It will be dead when you return. What kind of lesion in responsibility is that going to teach you?
Just a few ideas to discuss with mom.
That is a living creature you have responsibly for. I don't want to sound mean, but is your trip as important as your chams life?
If your mother would not let a person on here Cham sit for you, explain to her that you have most likely wasted the cost of the chameleon. It will be dead when you return. What kind of lesion in responsibility is that going to teach you?
Just a few ideas to discuss with mom.
laurie
Retired Moderator
You are a very caring, chameleon owner! Excellent
i'm thinking of just giving him to my friend to take care of. My mom doesn't want to pay for a pet sitter to come since she said 'they have to come at least 3 times a day to mist him' i get that it will be expensive, but i told her i would pay her back, so i'm not really sure what her deal is, but i'm going to work something out :/
Angelwolf
Chameleon Enthusiast
Thanks! I think.
opheliaeatsbugs
Avid Member
Could your cham stay at your aunt's house?
laurie
Retired Moderator
Given your choices? Yes, it is the very best you can do
GregJD
Established Member
We just went on a week long trip and had a relative come by and spray and feed the lizards. We got him a souvenir and he was more than happy. He actually fell in love with my veiled because he is so mean and would flare up at him for dropping a cricket.
I don't have a mister because I enjoy the hand spraying. Plus they're expensive.
If you get some timers from Lowe's or Home Depot, they're 1/4 of the price of the pet store ones and they are easier to use, in my opinion. That's another thing a sitter wouldn't have to worry about. They can just come by, spray, drop a cricket, and go. Or if you transport them, they won't have to worry about how long they should leave them on. I actually left my timers in and still use them. Working or sleeping late no longer worries me.
Sitter is the best way to go and if you get them a souvenir they will be happy. Especially if you don't promise them anything but reimbursement should a problem arise. That may not be the most proper thing, but I don't think it's proper to ask for pay when you do someone a favor, especially when a pet they love is the favor.
If you feel guilty for that, just slip them a little cash, too.
P.S. Make it easy for them with post-it notes.
I don't have a mister because I enjoy the hand spraying. Plus they're expensive.
If you get some timers from Lowe's or Home Depot, they're 1/4 of the price of the pet store ones and they are easier to use, in my opinion. That's another thing a sitter wouldn't have to worry about. They can just come by, spray, drop a cricket, and go. Or if you transport them, they won't have to worry about how long they should leave them on. I actually left my timers in and still use them. Working or sleeping late no longer worries me.
Sitter is the best way to go and if you get them a souvenir they will be happy. Especially if you don't promise them anything but reimbursement should a problem arise. That may not be the most proper thing, but I don't think it's proper to ask for pay when you do someone a favor, especially when a pet they love is the favor.
If you feel guilty for that, just slip them a little cash, too.
P.S. Make it easy for them with post-it notes.
GregJD
Established Member
Honestly, I would have taken all my pets with me if I had the opportunity. We just went in RV's and the family was like, "No way am I getting a cricket/roach/worm/dog/pig/etc. infestation in my RV!" They shut that down. In my humble opinion, if your mom is like, "I'm cool with you bringing him with you, but I'm not cool with someone coming in my house or paying them to care for him," I think that is a golden ticket to have a chameleon vacation, and that is awesome! I was only okay with having 1 person in my house to spray and feed, and thank God he was willing to do it. I get that. I wouldn't worry about stressing the chameleon out with travel. He'll have you to care for and calm him and you're better than anyone else, even on this forum, because he's your pet-child. Go for it.
JoeDigiorgio
Avid Member
The OP has pretty clearly stated that a misting system and pet sitting are both not possible. Give them a break, they're at the mercy of parental units on this one. Statements like 'what's more important, vacation or a life' are completely unfair and have no place in this particular situation. The ugly fact is the OP is not in charge and the vacation IS MORE IMPORTANT to whoever is in charge. We all need to remember many members here are in similar circumstances and they are the ones most in need of sound advice.
@alj210 if you must leave the chameleon at home for the 5 day trip, place a serving bowl with an inch or so of water in it at the bottom of the cage. Fill it with dollar store sponges, the type with no soap added. This will keep humidity up for several days and stop the chameleon from actually getting into the water. No chameleon has EVER died from not being misted for 5 days. Look up where these guys come from. Not exactly a rainforest. Throw in 15-20 crickets and some pieces of apple or other hard fruit or even water crystals just to keep them alive a few days. If he runs out of crickets by day 3-4 who cares you're almost back in town.
@alj210 if you must leave the chameleon at home for the 5 day trip, place a serving bowl with an inch or so of water in it at the bottom of the cage. Fill it with dollar store sponges, the type with no soap added. This will keep humidity up for several days and stop the chameleon from actually getting into the water. No chameleon has EVER died from not being misted for 5 days. Look up where these guys come from. Not exactly a rainforest. Throw in 15-20 crickets and some pieces of apple or other hard fruit or even water crystals just to keep them alive a few days. If he runs out of crickets by day 3-4 who cares you're almost back in town.
Angelwolf
Chameleon Enthusiast
I'm not sure who you may be referring to, but I do think it may be me. Or at least, in part. I am, in fact, the one who suggested that the OP take the cham with him. So obviously, I agree with the rest of you. My point of the 2nd post was to get across that it will be stressful enough for the cham to be taken on this journey, so any additional unnecessary attention could prove to be detrimental, and should be avoided at all costs. (In other words, no hiking excursions or swimming with the cham on your shoulder.)
JoeDigiorgio
Avid Member
I'm not referring to the idea of taking the chameleon with them. I think a longer trip would warrant taking the chameleon with you assuming a sitter or more automation isn't an option especially for a smaller chameleon. I definitely think it's possible to take the chameleon with you without overly stressing it. But we are talking about 5 days here. That's nothing. I'd never leave one of my chameleons in someone else's care if I was only leaving for 5 days.
What must be frustrating for the OP is reading the same suggestions over and over again after explaining that they aren't viable options for them. If they can't get a mister, they can't get a mister. They don't need to be made to feel bad about it. I notice that type of thing on here a lot. Multiple people will chime in for the sake of chiming in without offering any new input when someone genuinely needs help.
Angelwolf
Chameleon Enthusiast
I think it comes down to personal preference. Maybe you would not take the animal on a 5 day trip. Maybe he would. Maybe he lives in a more arid area than you or I. I did not assume anything. I made the suggestion based on the same information about his viable options, or lack there of. The OP and I have also had a private discussion regarding this, so I will thank you to leave me out of your assumptions.
Vicar Laurence
New Member
Maybe I'm just missing something, but is there a reason your mother can't simply watch him for you?
my whole family is going on he trip, is there will be no one in the house
my mom doesn't feel comfortable w someone coming in the house to take care of my animals. we've gone on week trips before, but it's never really been a problem since i only had fish and a snake. i had a vacation feeder for my fish, and snakes don't need to be fed every day, but now i got my cham. i also wouldn't be comfortable leaving him w someone else, simply because i just got him about a month ago, and i still am worried about him while i leave home. i feel i brig him, i know he's with me, and i can check in on him whenever i want.
also, if i bring him, during the car ride should i put a blanket or towel over his cage? i was thinking it might make it less stressful since he can't see anything.
also, if i bring him, during the car ride should i put a blanket or towel over his cage? i was thinking it might make it less stressful since he can't see anything.
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