Pet Store with chameleon

[Lizardlover]

Just left my local pet store a little while ago, not too sure if im angry or disappointed, in their reptile section they just got in a new Jacksons, hes in horrible condition, extremely dehydrated, and very malnourished, but he can be saved. I am going to complain im just not sure how yet, they are family owned so i was thinking of sending an e-mail, and if i do i will need help with its structure, heres the poor chameleons set up.

75 watt bulb (on a JACKSONS!!)
18 by 18 by 18 inch all GLASS cage (for an 8 inch cham!)
Substrate
One vine only about 6 inches under the heat lamp.
Fake jungle plants that the cham cant use, its just to make the cage look pretty.
a UV bulb, thank goodness its not compact.

The poor guy is in bad condition but he CAN be saved, any ideas on what i should do. I WONT buy him, if i can get them to let me adopt him I will, but buying him will just hurt other chams.

Thanks,
Danny

 

[BocaJan]

OK, have to ask. Which one?

 

[Dunnigan]

go in there and let them know. Dont go in with an attitude, but more like hey i noticed something and this is how i feel...

try and bring in some factual informaiton, like care sheet and see how they react.

 

[Sancho]

Speak with a manager if you plan on going in and pointing out the well being of the cham.

 

[Debmonster]

Don't do it in front of customers..the manager won't want to listen while customers are around (from experience).....Debs

 

[MEPOKEU]

The poor guy is in bad condition but he CAN be saved, any ideas on what i should do. I WONT buy him, if i can get them to let me adopt him I will, but buying him will just hurt other chams.

Thanks,
Danny

I saw the same thing recently at Petsmart..

Jackson in a small glass cage.
water dish.
plastic plants

He was labeled as Jacksonii Jacksonii, but Im pretty sure he isnt.


I didnt buy him, but my gf later went back and did after her third visit to see how he was doing.

He is now doing fine and eating from our hands.

 

[Lizardlover]

ok guys, thanks, ill try that, and Naomi, its Pets Unlimited, not Ben's , ill try that when i go in to buy some more crix, if the poor guy is still alive, my dad was ready to buy him in a heartbeat but i knew buying him would hurt other chams, if she (manager) doesnt listen should i try to adopt??

Edit. they also have a 6 mo. veild, she is in good condition, but still in the wrong environment. should i bring this up too

 

[coultrain]

yes do tell the manager about the veild because it may look good know but that can change fast. tell them about both before it is to late for both of them.

 

[Lizardlover]

ok, i will definetly do that ASAP any other ideas suggestions? i dont want to make an enemy or look like a fool because i do go in there alot. :/

 

[Drone]

If you go in there alot as a customer they should listen to you with a desire to please
If you write a letter to give to the manager that might come off as a less "confrontational" approach

 

[BocaJan]

Maybe you can take the Kitty addy and the Forum addy in with you and offer it up as documentation for them to read besides telling them about proper husbandry. If you can find a care sheet to print out that might be good also.

 

[Lizardlover]

good point, i WAS thinking of e-mailing but thats a good point there :

 

[Syn]

Tell me how this turns out.

 

[jojackson]

politely explain that its conditions are not convenient for the species. Only point out what matters, glass cage, cage size, thermal gradient or lack thereof, substrate ingestion danger. Dont mention petty stuff like fake plants thats not important.
Explain that you keep chameleons and have learnt quite alot about them, perhaps offer to setup his chameleons in correct conditions, pointing out the benifits, e.g his customers will see he knows how to look after them, those who dont will learn, and they will be easier for him/staff to maintain until sold.

Explain how easy is it is to have a cham fall sick or die without the conditions it needs.
Show him what indicates the jackson is in poor condition, pointing out the significance of sunken eyes/casque, etc, so that he will know what to look for., and how to fix it.
give him your number and offer advice if he needs to call you.

You will be more likely to make a freind this way and improve the situation of current and future animals at the store. Good luck

 

[Lizardlover]

Ok guys, i think im ready...

*caresheets
*constructive criticism
*number to call for help
*meet face to face
*show how the cham is in bad condition
*explain proper husbandry

and jojackson, i wasnt talking about the pretty plants thing, the cham has NO plants, just a vine, so id imagine that has to be changed.

 

[Chameleon Caretaker]

I see these types of problems in almost every pet shop I go into and it breaks my heart

 

[BocaJan]

Sounds like you have enough information to back up your comments. Let's hope the manager is open to learning about chameleons. Sometimes they think they know it all.

 

[Lizardlover]

pssh tell me about it, *cough* underground reptiles

 

[Lizardlover]

Cant go in tommorow, but im gonna go in on wed. armed with a few caresheets and my knowledge, ill let you all know how it goes, any other suggestions?

 

[lizardboy119796]

just tell them, you set up a decent habitat wiht a screen cage and some live plants and right bulbs, help them out, and i will take this chameleon home and treat it to prooper health, if they think you are going to take it and not come back or something or they think you cant take care of it, just tell them that you have chams also and bring in pics or something, i did this with some pacman frogs a while ago