Going out of town what should I do with my Cham.?

[ChameleonRave]

Hi, I am going to be leaving for a week or so very soon and I would like to know what I am supposed to do with my 3 month old Veiled Chameleon while Im gone? and noone is going to be at my house for that whole time.. so what should I do if I can't take him with?

 

[jannb]

Find a pet sitter.

 

[VeiledOwner87]

see if local exotic stores or pet shops can do sitting. im going to tennessee for 4 days and will be bringing all of my animals except my crested geckos to the exotic reptile store for 5$ a day an animal. they do exceptional watching too.

 

[ChameleonRave]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing but the owner of the shop doesn't know anything about Chameleons what so ever! and I am afraid that she might sell my darwin and hes kinda my world right now! . and there is hardly anyone in my town that knows about V. Chams.

 

[beeze]

How about a friend or neighbor? They don't rally have to be a chameleon person. Just have them come ove a couple of time and show them what to do. I also write it all down for my neighbor.

 

[ChameleonRave]

I would but my neighbors aren't really trustworthy or any of my friends with my animals... I always catch my friend trying to take my turtles and other things :/

 

[laurie]

Where are you going? maybe you will pass near a forum member who could cham sit for you. Your only other option is to mail the cham to someone to cham sit. That will cost you, so try to come up with a plan.

 

[VeiledOwner87]

some friends you have are there any keepers around you?

 

[Elizadolots]

Contact the local vet. Even if they don't treat reptiles they might be willing to babysit (for a fee) and they are certainly qualified to follow the simple instructions for a week. They won't sell your pet.

 

[laurie]

Contact the local vet. Even if they don't treat reptiles they might be willing to babysit (for a fee) and they are certainly qualified to follow the simple instructions for a week. They won't sell your pet.

What a great idea! This is the solution.

 

[ChameleonRave]

@VeiledOwner. There is no one around me that is a Chameleon owner. :/
and I am going to Minneapolis and Wisconsin...

 

[sandrachameleon]

Its a shame you didnt think about these things prior to buying a chameleon, or at least well before your trip. Many vets will board pets for a price, and there may be a professional pet sitter in your area if you look. While its better if the pet sitter knows chameleons, take what you can get. Its important that at the least the chameleon gets water. Filling a dripper isnt difficult regardless of ones lizard experience or lack thereof.

 

[ChameleonRave]

@sandrachameleon (sorry if i spelt it wrong) but please don't act like i don't know what I have gotten myself into! I research on every reptile and any animal that i get. This may be my first Chameleon but he is very active and healthy... I am going to be asking around for people that might know a big about Chams. and to clarify one thing is that I didn't know that I was going to be going out of town soon. so yeah... so thank you all for the help you are all great!

 

[sandrachameleon]

@sandrachameleon (sorry if i spelt it wrong) but please don't act like i don't know what I have gotten myself into!

Act like what? Im sorry if you took offense to my statements. But It does seem rather obvious to me that you did not do sufficient research and planning prior to buying a chameleon, if you're asking this type of question. Having plans for when you are away is one of the very basics in pet care.

 

[justjumpit621]

I'm sure there is a forum member around, but you can always take him with you.

 

[hun73r]

I have thought of this as well. I have neighbors that can watch mine but hate to be a bother to them. If it was just for a few days and you have an automatic misting system I would think that placing a cup of insects in the enclosure would be fine, but being that it may be a week or more and he is so young it may be difficult to leave him for that long.

I have thought about trying out an automatic dog/cat feeder to release insects once every day or so but have not made the purchase yet. It may be something to think about.

Here is a link to one:Automatic Pet Dish

Also there is a pet sitter in Sioux Falls that will take a pet in their home so if it is on the way they may be worth a call:
Pet Sitter

They are licensed and insured but I do not know if they will do a chameleon or not.

 

[ChameleonRave]

Act like what? Im sorry if you took offense to my statements. But It does seem rather obvious to me that you did not do sufficient research and planning prior to buying a chameleon, if you're asking this type of question. Having plans for when you are away is one of the very basics in pet care.

Well I am sorry @sandrachameleon but I do take offense to people saying that I can't take car of my animals. I did think about where I was going to have to bring it when I leave to go to the cities but It won't be for atleast another 2-3 weeks I just have to make plans and type up instructions for my Chameleon and isn't Chameleon Forums a place to get help not get criticized? and I don't make any purchases w/o doing extensive research on my animals. its just not ethical to buy something and then 5 min. later think shoot what do i do with it now?

 

[ChameleonRave]

I have thought of this as well. I have neighbors that can watch mine but hate to be a bother to them. If it was just for a few days and you have an automatic misting system I would think that placing a cup of insects in the enclosure would be fine, but being that it may be a week or more and he is so young it may be difficult to leave him for that long.

I have thought about trying out an automatic dog/cat feeder to release insects once every day or so but have not made the purchase yet. It may be something to think about.

Here is a link to one:Automatic Pet Dish

Also there is a pet sitter in Sioux Falls that will take a pet in their home so if it is on the way they may be worth a call:
Pet Sitter

They are licensed and insured but I do not know if they will do a chameleon or not.

@hun73r I already have a ZooMed "Little Dripper" I love it but it always gets jammed him the terrarium because mine is an Exo Terra Screen Terrarium and there isn't any ports for it to go through ... so I mist him everyday about 3 times to keep up the humidity.
and My mom doesn't really care for going to Sioux Falls when we are going to the cities because it is out of our way. sad because I love going there to get things for my pets
and while im typing this I just thought about someone who could take it !! and that automatic one sounds neat Exo Terra has some a WaterWell and also a Cricket rock thing... (feeding rock) http://mall.herphut.com/exo-terra/exo-terra-feeding-rock.html (WaterWell) http://mall.herphut.com/exo-terra/exo-terra-water-well.html

 

[hun73r]

I have seen both of those products, but a chameleon won't drink out of standing water so that would not work and on the circket rock I always wonder what keeps them from coming out all at the same time or not at all.

As far as the dripper goes, I would recommed getting a paperclip and expaning a place in the screen so that the tube can fit through it. A dripper would not last for the amount of time that you will be away anyways but it will help day to day.

 

[ChameleonRave]

I have seen both of those products, but a chameleon won't drink out of standing water so that would not work and on the circket rock I always wonder what keeps them from coming out all at the same time or not at all.

As far as the dripper goes, I would recommed getting a paperclip and expaning a place in the screen so that the tube can fit through it. A dripper would not last for the amount of time that you will be away anyways but it will help day to day.

I would do the paper clip thing but I don't want to ruin the cage... :/ its so fine of mesh... and the rock it has a plug in it for when you think your reptile has had enough food. and Chameleons do actually drink out of standing water if you can train them. mine is only 3 months old and whenever he is down by the mealie dish he crawls over to the water dish with about 2 centimeters of water and takes a drink its quite fascinating I am always shocked when I see him stick his tongue out and drinks from the dish. He never drinks from the leaves that I know of so its always a surprise!