Stressful experience, need advise :/

[UrbanChameleon]

I completely understand your situation.

When I got my first Chameleon, literally three people followed suit. None of them listened to a word I said. It goes in one ear, and out the other. They were so intent on the "cuteness" of a baby Chameleon, that they didn't care to consider the responsibility. One girl bought a Veiled Chameleon, and then got another after one week. All four of the animals in question are dead. Most didn't even last a month.

I wrote lists of the proper husbandry requirements, and recommended them all to this site. None of the advice was taken. After a while, I realized that I needed to remove myself from the situation completely. It was tearing me up. You cannot make anyone do anything. It doesn't matter how nice you are, or how mean you are. You will drive yourself crazy. If you are not getting anywhere with this person, remove yourself from the situation. I'm not saying to not even try at all, but your mental health is important. Keep that in mind.


This just kind of ticks me off.. but one of these people now claims that her Chameleons died because they are meant to be wild. They shouldn't be "plucked from nature and thrown into our living rooms". Not to degrade her opinion, but don't put others down because of your ignorance. You can't expect make zero attempt to research, and then have thriving animals. It doesn't work that way. So don't blame the animals for your mistakes.

 

[sarahlynne]

Why don't you tell him what he's doing is wrong and if he refuses to right his wrong offer to buy them of him and threaten to get people with authority involved.

 

[KingJulian]

I have a similar situation, where somebody saw a pic of our cham and all of a sudden thinks its a good idea to buy one for his 5 year old. My boyfriend explained to him that it's not a toy, and they require A LOT of attention. The guys response was that they are just so cool. People really don't understand all the time and effort, not to mention money, that goes into them and it's really sad. At least you got the female, but unfortunately I agree with some of the other members and feel like the only way he will learn is having the baby die in his care. Hopefully once that happens, you can get the cops involved.

 

[Jupiter]

I'm assuming he isn't very old because he is getting financial aid in college. For all we know, he could still be 17 or 18.

Yeah I got that. I just think it's funny that he thinks he's ready to do something as complicated and specialized as breeding animals, yet needs his hand held through a ubiquitous, standard life situation like having an uncomfortable conversation

I have a similar situation, where somebody saw a pic of our cham and all of a sudden thinks its a good idea to buy one for his 5 year old. My boyfriend explained to him that it's not a toy, and they require A LOT of attention. The guys response was that they are just so cool.

Ugh. When people say stuff like this it really pisses me off, but when people with kids talk like that, it just makes me depressed.