A very hard decision

[SaintJimmy]

If that is your point, why not buy all of the animals? Why is the chameleon better than all of the other animals that the pet shop owner is abusing? You should just report the shop and do what you can and not support them by helping their revenue stream.

I'm not saying I wouldn't gladly take in everything else. But I already know how to keep chameleons.. so... you know..

Whatever.

I'm going to take care of him. And find him a better home.

Regardless of how many people say I'm only helping the pet store, I'm making sure I'm not going to. I told you. I'm getting an official to look at it.

 

[Zephalia]

Everyone is saying don't buy it

My argument is:

Why can't I buy it AND get him shut down? Or at least do something about it!

I can't sit and watch idly as a baby cham gets treated that way!

If I were you Jimmy, I would buy that little guy. After you have him safe and sound, be honest with the shop owner and tell him that you have a soft spot for chameleons and seeing him living in those terrible conditions pushed you to rescue him from the situation. Let him know how unimpressed you are and that you will tell everyone you know about what you witnessed. Then, follow up and find every message board, call every person you know, contact the appropriate authorities...get the word out there that this shop has terrible living conditions and should not be supported.

I wouldn't be able to leave that Jax there but that's just me. Good luck.

 

[junglefries]

hello!!!!!

I believe buying the little guy and closing the store or educating the owner on his ways is exactly what i said. i said just because you shouldn't buy it, doesn't mean you can't & shouldn't. Also, keep in mind the person minding the store isn't necessarily the owner, before going off on a rant. it is possible, it is someone just supporting their kids or someone who actually cares about animals as much as you, but their hands are tied by the owner. Or it could be both. I was in that exact situation years ago. I managed several mom & pop pet stores, worked for some wholesalers, and eventually left the business all together after Pet Stuff (now Pet Smart) bought out my current place of employment. So keep in mind the little jax is an individual, who didn't ask or send out an invitation to be where he is. BUY him. @ the same time, work on educating the store first as to their mistakes (many), & if that shows no improvement: you blow the whistle. Fish & Wiildlife, Game Warden (yes they have powers, they are federal employees with more authority than a local policeman), codes dept., local news, get friends together and picket one Saturday, etc... If it truly upsets you, & you are determined, there are many avenues of help.

 

[SaintJimmy]

I believe buying the little guy and closing the store or educating the owner on his ways is exactly what i said. i said just because you shouldn't buy it, doesn't mean you can't & shouldn't. Also, keep in mind the person minding the store isn't necessarily the owner, before going off on a rant. it is possible, it is someone just supporting their kids or someone who actually cares about animals as much as you, but their hands are tied by the owner. Or it could be both. I was in that exact situation years ago. I managed several mom & pop pet stores, worked for some wholesalers, and eventually left the business all together after Pet Stuff (now Pet Smart) bought out my current place of employment. So keep in mind the little jax is an individual, who didn't ask or send out an invitation to be where he is. BUY him. @ the same time, work on educating the store first as to their mistakes (many), & if that shows no improvement: you blow the whistle. Fish & Wiildlife, Game Warden (yes they have powers, they are federal employees with more authority than a local policeman), codes dept., local news, get friends together and picket one Saturday, etc... If it truly upsets you, & you are determined, there are many avenues of help.

Check out this penal code

§597l. Pet shops.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person who operates a pet shop to fail to do all of the following:

(1) Maintain the facilities used for the keeping of pet animals in a sanitary condition.

(2) Provide proper heating and ventilation of the facilities used for the keeping of pet animals.

(3) Provide adequate nutrition for, and humane care and treatment of, all pet animals under his care and control.

(4) Take reasonable care to release for sale, trade or adoption only those pet animals which are free of diseases or injuries.

(5) Provide adequate space appropriate to the size, weight and specie of pet animal.

(b) As used in this section:

(1) "Pet animals" means dogs, cats, monkeys, and other primates, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, snakes, iguanas, turtles and any other species of animal sold or retained for the purpose of being kept as a household pet.

(2) "Pet shop" means every place or premises where pet animals are being kept for the purpose of either wholesale or retail sale. "Pet shop" does not include any place or premises where pet animals are occasionally sold.

(c) Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 90 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

 

[Kate]

Each pet store is different, they are not all the same. In my case reptiles are only expected to remain there for a short time. The owner said the care of these two tinies was over his head. When I took the boy back there was substrate in the bottom of the viv and a water bowl too. I asked for them to be removed and he did that without hesitation and it stayed that way. I provided care sheets and have been asked advice by one of the buyers. SaintJimmy if it were me I would get him, try to educate the owner and if that doesn't work, report him.

 

[SaintJimmy]

Each pet store is different, they are not all the same. In my case reptiles are only expected to remain there for a short time. The owner said the care of these two tinies was over his head. When I took the boy back there was substrate in the bottom of the viv and a water bowl too. I asked for them to be removed and he did that without hesitation and it stayed that way. I provided care sheets and have been asked advice by one of the buyers. SaintJimmy if it were me I would get him, try to educate the owner and if that doesn't work, report him.

I think that when I do get the cham, I will leave printed out caresheets along with the penal code on his desk.. And tell him he should read it.

I am very very shy but I really want to do my best to help the animals

 

[sandrachameleon]

I know how difficult it is to walk away and not help the poor creatures.
Sounds like you found a way to help one animal, and I wish you best of luck. I hope the shop owner adjusts their ways, but its unlikely. Its probable that you are enabling the pet shop owner to keep bringing in animals to suffer, but that's likely to happen regardless, and at least you'll feel good about the one you've got.

 

[Kate]

I know. As your thread says " A very hard decision ". I might buy the Cham, get it safely home and then go back with with documents or post them annonamously.

 

[SaintJimmy]

I know how difficult it is to walk away and not help the poor creatures.
Sounds like you found a way to help one animal, and I wish you best of luck. I hope the shop owner adjusts their ways, but its unlikely. Its probable that you are enabling the pet shop owner to keep bringing in animals to suffer, but that's likely to happen regardless, and at least you'll feel good about the one you've got.

I know. As your thread says " A very hard decision ". I might buy the Cham, get it safely home and then go back with with documents or post them annonamously.

Next time I have made a plan.

When we go to buy the cham, I am bringing my camera. I am taking pictures of EVERY little thing that might help get dirt on this guy.

I might be young but I want to see what I can do to get it in the papers and to show everyone.

Also my father's girlfriend is a paralegal working for a lawyer... I did some work for her over the summer... I want to see what I can also do about 1) educating him 2) getting a game warden to look at the place

But anyway when I get home with the cham or take it to woodland hills (possibly the best option) I will post the pictures everywhere I can think of

 

[sandrachameleon]

be careful in the manner you "report" on this pet shop. Express opinions as free speech, and/or use official reporting procedures. You want to avoid slander.

 

[Kate]

From my point of view, I think the most important thing here is the Cham. If you challenge him before you get the Cham he might not sell it to you. The laws in UK are different from the states so I can't really help. You sound as if you have it well thought out. Good luck.

 

[SaintJimmy]

From my point of view, I think the most important thing here is the Cham. If you challenge him before you get the Cham he might not sell it to you. The laws in UK are different from the states so I can't really help. You sound as if you have it well thought out. Good luck.

That's what I'm saying though. We're going to buy it and then either take pictures while my family is kind of.. distracting him.. or just come back and take pictures later.

I'll tell him I'm sending pictures of products to my "friend so she can go to the store and decide which ones she wants" or some BS like that. Something believable.

 

[SaintJimmy]

be careful in the manner you "report" on this pet shop. Express opinions as free speech, and/or use official reporting procedures. You want to avoid slander.

Oh no, I'm talking about reporting to .. stuff like fish&game department over the phone, not necessarily the news although it would be nice.. And I will avoid slander, I just want the forums and classifieds and people in reptile groups to know to never come here and how bad it is.

As if they ever will go there, but you know.

 

[sandrachameleon]

you might make a post on the Board Of Inquiry on Fauna Classifieds. people look there to know if vendors get good ratings or not.

 

[SaintJimmy]

you might make a post on the Board Of Inquiry on Fauna Classifieds. people look there to know if vendors get good ratings or not.

yes that is exactly what I was going to do.

 

[Boogiedog]

Call your local animal control and ask if they'd do a wellness check. We get lots of calls like this, and to stop by and take a look, ask questions and even issue a 24 hr notice to correct is easy - and hopefully will improve the lives for these animals.

 

[SaintJimmy]

Call your local animal control and ask if they'd do a wellness check. We get lots of calls like this, and to stop by and take a look, ask questions and even issue a 24 hr notice to correct is easy - and hopefully will improve the lives for these animals.

I wrote down the animal control center's phone number a couple hours ago, I will call them after I get the chameleon.

 

[FlChamMom]

I know he will be in good hands- I always enjoy your Monty updates!

 

[SaintJimmy]

I know he will be in good hands- I always enjoy your Monty updates!

How nice of you. I will update!

 

[LLGabriel]

Looking forward to updates on this little boy! I know he will be very happy and healthy now. I know you can't save them all but eh.. My opinion is that no matter what.. UNLESS ENOUGH people that feel the same about the horrible conditions these animals live in, do something to shut him down.. Chances are he will be open a year from now. Kutos to you for all your research on codes to bring to his attn. Even if nothing is done.. You should feel really good about giving that little one a good home. Just my thoughts.