What to do, what to do

[Cmoore]

Hello - I am new here and have yet to purchase a chameleon. While shopping in Petco (I know...) for crickets for our crested gecko I couldn't help but be drawn to the veiled chameleons. They have 2 right now -one they are guessing is 4 months and the smaller male who caught my eye is thought to be about 3. I know they have been there at least 6 weeks now at least that is the first time I saw them there. Anyway, besides yesterday, all the times I stopped to admire him, he looked great. Bright green, I thought a little thin, but not really different from the pics I have seen online. He has always come to the front of the enclosure while I am there and even came down to eat in front of me once. I just fell in love with him and almost have his complete setup to bring him home. Well, we stopped by yesterday (it's 25miles away so I havn't been there to check up on him for 2 weeks) and he looked terrible. He was dark brownish, his hind end or hips seemed sunken in really showing his skeleton and he just wanted to hide. I called the "keeper" over because the humidity gauge showed 20%. She said he was probably just stressed because they just cleaned the enclosure and replace all the fake plants, and he had just shed (which he had - still traces). I am going to go back up there on Saturday which is the day I had planned to bring him home and see what his condition is like. I so want to rescue him and take him out of there - but I am worried now that the past month and 1/2 of being there and not being taken care of properly will have long term effects on his health. I am so torn right now.....

 

[chameleonkev]

From what I here of petco if they have been there that long you are most probly going to be buying a ill chameleon, I suggest getting another chameleon as I no you want to help the particular Cham but its not nice for the poor little guy to die in your care, I would be best to start of with a perfectly healthy chameleon

 

[DavidBuchan]

If the Chameleon doesn't look to be in good condition then the only advice is not to buy it. Chams can go downhill particularly fast if there any problems. 'Rescuing' a Chameleon is definitely not for beginners.....
From the anecdotal evidence I see on this forum I personally am of the opinion that Chameleons should not be bought from big chain stores. This is just because the less they sell of them, the less they buy them in. Therefore less Chams will be kept by inept staff who give out poor information on keeping them.
Having said all that, the keepers story is believable so it may be that this particular Petco is keeping him reasonably well. Only you can decide, but if you go there expecting to take him home you might end up taking home a lost cause.
Here is a great basic caresheet on keeping Veileds - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html

 

[laurie]

Well I have a couple thoughts for you.

First come to terms with what you are getting. Buying that Cham could be great if he makes it. But if he has problems are you ready to pay the vet bills? Most rescue chams do need vet care. Remember by the time a Cham is showing signs of neglect, it is pretty far along.

Second is go in and talk to the manager. Tell him you have wanted the Cham for a while but had to save to get everything to care for the Cham properly. Now you come back and the Cham does't look healthy. See if he will give you the Cham. Very few will as they would rather let it die than lose money. But he can sell it to you for 1/2 price. That should be the very most you should pay!!! You don't want to reward them for poor care.

Let us know what you decide. Good luck

 

[Cmoore]

I could afford the vet bills, but the closest reptile vet is 65 miles away. My heart is telling me to get him out of there, afterall he is the reason I'm wanting a cham. He just showed so much personality and by coming toward me twice out of the 4 times I have seen him just made me think he is wanting me to take him home. But seeing him yesterday about broke my heart. How can he change that much in just 2 weeks? I am pretty sure they are giving him the calcium with D3, but not just plain calcium as they didn't have any and the gal told me all they carry is w/D3. I also have witnessed them feeding him mealworms which are not on the list of insects recommended to eat. I saw him eat one the time before last. I need to write out a list of questions and see exactly what they have been feeding him and supplementing him with. He could very well have just been stressed - his eyes did not appear to be sunken in, nor the top of his head. When I go there this weekend, I'll take a picture of him and post it to get your feedback. If he still looks dark and does not come forward, but stays hidden in the foilage then I'll probably opt to go with ordering one from FLchams or lllreptiles. I am worried about shipping one from FL all the way to OR and the stress that would be on the poor little guy.

 

[Cmoore]

Decision Made

Thanks who responding and offered advise. I have decided to not get the poor little fellow at Petco. I know if I take him, then he will be replaced and another one will get put into that enclosure that is not right and yet another cham will get sick and suffer. I am going to send them a letter though with my thoughts on bringing in animals and then not provide the correct environment for them. I think I'm going to get one from Chameleons Northwest. They are a sponsor here and are located in the beautiful pacific northwest like me. I feel more comfortable getting one closer to home than having it shipped from clear across the country. I'll have to wait a bit for him, but that's o.k.. More time to tweak his new home and make sure everything is right. Looking forward to posting pics when the baby arrives! Cheers - Cheryl

 

[absolutbill]

Hi there and welcome to the forums! You don't have to worry about cross-country shipping - I've had 2 come in that way and both were just fine. I've dealt with FL Chams (he's local to me down here), and have heard great things about Chameleons Northwest - any of the sponsors on here are fantastic. I think you are doing the smart thing (though the heart-heavy) thing by not getting the little one from Petco, but in the end you will be thrilled with your own little boy to care for. Best of luck and remember we're all here to answer any questions you may have!