Another disappointing petsmart visit...

[aaron9069]

I stopped by petsmart today again to make sure they had the reptibreeze cage I'm planning on getting and the chameleon display was very disappointing.

They had two chameleons (couldn't really tell the age) in a tiny glass cage with a couple of small vines, muddy substrate, a water BOWL, no dripper/sign of any misting, and worst of all the humidity meter was right below 20%.

I feel so bad for these little guys every time I see them. There was a tiny female in there the other day and she's now gone. I hope whoever has her did their research..

 

[Lpsouth1978]

I know how horrible it is to see these wonderful creatures in such poor conditions. I always look when I am in getting supplies or crickets. The other day they had a good sized (I would guess 4-5 month) male veiled. Not only were the conditions not ideal, but the poor boy had pretty severe MBD. His front leg was OBVIOUSLY broken. You could actually see the bones in his leg, it was one of the worst things I have seen to date. It disgusts me that they are able to sell or keep any animal in those conditions even for a short time.

 

[pssh]

If you don't support the way they take care of the animals, don't support the store at all. They make most of their money through dry good sales.

 

[Google the Chameleon]

I agree, at the petsmart near me there are two chameleons that are about 6 months old in 2.5 gallon enclosures and I am surprised that I chose to buy my cham there but I guess I did a good thing because with those conditions my Cham would be dead had I not bought it. But it is really depressing that they don't take good care of there animals.

 

[aaron9069]

I was thinking about it and I'm not going to purchase anything from them.


I really wanted to get everything set up before I went and got my little guy but the reptile shop I'm getting him from is a little out of the way and I can't really make two trips.

I'm going to get his plants the night before though, so he'll have a place to hang out while I get everything ready for him.

 

[Lpsouth1978]

Unfortunately, not buying from them is not always an option. But I will not buy animals from them.

 

[KarmenCham]

I can honestly say i wil never buy anything from the main Pet stores, mainly as the bugs don't seem to be gut loaded, over half are dead etc etc, I always get my stuff from a store that specialises in reptiles only.

 

[aaron9069]

I can honestly say i wil never buy anything from the main Pet stores, mainly as the bugs don't seem to be gut loaded, over half are dead etc etc, I always get my stuff from a store that specialises in reptiles only.

I'm getting my little buddy from a place called reptile pets direct. They seem very reputable and assured me they are all captive bred and cared for appropriately.

 

[jrath]

Don't go there, you can get a reptibreeze on Amazon for a lot less.
All your doing by making purchases there is helping their business.

 

[pssh]

Also, reptibreezes thats I have gotten have rusted pretty bad. The LLL ones are much better quality.

 

[jrath]

I agree, at the petsmart near me there are two chameleons that are about 6 months old in 2.5 gallon enclosures and I am surprised that I chose to buy my cham there but I guess I did a good thing because with those conditions my Cham would be dead had I not bought it. But it is really depressing that they don't take good care of there animals.

If you buy one, they are just going to replace it with another one within a week. Unfortunately the best thing to do is not buy them and eventually they will realize that chameleons are to much trouble to deal with. If you do see one with MBD or in poor health then notify the manager that they need to be seen by a Vet.

 

[aaron9069]

Also, reptibreezes thats I have gotten have rusted pretty bad. The LLL ones are much better quality.

Are the LLL ones alluminum cages as well? Also are the PVC/mesh cages any good?

 

[Ninkylou]

I'm getting my little buddy from a place called reptile pets direct. They seem very reputable and assured me they are all captive bred and cared for appropriately.

I just checked out their website, they look more like a reseller than a breeder. I would be sure to check them out well. There are many great breeders here on the site and many people who can personally vouch for them.

 

[pssh]

Are the LLL ones alluminum cages as well? Also are the PVC/mesh cages any good?

They are aluminum. I like the mesh ones, but some don't. They aren't as sturdy as the aluminum ones and some people break the zippers (be gentle!) They do offer good privacy/security for the chameleons because they are dark, they are less expensive, (for me) hold humidity better, can be thrown in the washer, and come apart very easily. I don't like the flimsy plastic trays they use for the bottom, so I buy a piece of acrylic sheet or corrugated plastic (not as strong as acrylic) and cut it to size. Then it works just like the plastic bottoms to the aluminum cages. However, I do recommend using a 10.0 bulb with the cage instead of a 5.0 because it does block the UVB a little more.

They are also great for housing younger chameleons until they are ready for their adult cages (and cheaper than buying two screen cages of different sizes.)

 

[aaron9069]

I just checked out their website, they look more like a reseller than a breeder. I would be sure to check them out well. There are many great breeders here on the site and many people who can personally vouch for them.

They are a reseller I believe. I would rather get one from a breeder on here but I'm not so sure about the shipping. I could pick him up at a fedex hub, but I want to check out this shop first

 

[aaron9069]

They are aluminum. I like the mesh ones, but some don't. They aren't as sturdy as the aluminum ones and some people break the zippers (be gentle!) They do offer good privacy/security for the chameleons because they are dark, they are less expensive, (for me) hold humidity better, can be thrown in the washer, and come apart very easily. I don't like the flimsy plastic trays they use for the bottom, so I buy a piece of acrylic sheet or corrugated plastic (not as strong as acrylic) and cut it to size. Then it works just like the plastic bottoms to the aluminum cages. However, I do recommend using a 10.0 bulb with the cage instead of a 5.0 because it does block the UVB a little more.

They are also great for housing younger chameleons until they are ready for their adult cages (and cheaper than buying two screen cages of different sizes.)

I'll probably get the 18×18×36 reptibreeze and if it doesn't work out get the larger LLL mesh cage when he gets full size.

 

[aaron9069]

However, I do recommend using a 10.0 bulb with the cage instead of a 5.0 because it does block the UVB a little more.

Also if I got an aluminum cage is the 5.0 enough as far as UVB goes?

(Sorry I know this thread got a little off topic)

 

[pssh]

If you are careful about not getting too much water on the screen, it could last a while. Oh you could also re-screen it if it starts to rust, but it's kind of a pain in the butt if you've never done it before (I almost gave up the first time!)

5.0 should be fine. Just be sure he can get close enough to the UVB as a baby.

 

[aaron9069]

If you are careful about not getting too much water on the screen, it could last a while. Oh you could also re-screen it if it starts to rust, but it's kind of a pain in the butt if you've never done it before (I almost gave up the first time!)

5.0 should be fine. Just be sure he can get close enough to the UVB as a baby.

I'll compare the two a little more. I'm not getting him til friday so that gives me some time. Thanks for all the help and advice. I really love this site, you all are so helpful

 

[Carlton]

Unfortunately, not buying from them is not always an option. But I will not buy animals from them.

While I understand that in some places the big box stores are the only option for some supplies, you can still have some effect by sharing your opinion of their policies about their animal care. It doesn't do much good to buy an item and then walk out in a huff, resentful of their practices unless you inform the management of your concerns!

Tell them in no uncertain terms that you were forced to buy some item because there was no other source for it, but that you do not support or approve of their animal care. Tell them you would not buy any animals from their store and why. Do it in writing and send a copy of your letter to the local agency that inspects and licenses pet shops. Make sure the big box store sees who you sent copies to.

And, one more time, if you buy a cham from these places to save its life, you rewarded the store for carrying the animal. All they'll do is replace it with another equally doomed cham. We've all been there but realized we just contributed to the problem and have to face that fact. If I was so desperate to help a cham doomed at a shop at LEAST refuse to pay full price for it! Your point is lost on the store if you give them their profit.