Hi,
I just need to vent a little about the experience today related to the local pet shop and their new acquisition of chameleons. They now have a fully grown (1-1 1/2 yr) male veiled, pair of Jackson (5-6 month), Senegal and soon to be arriving panther. They all look in great health at this moment, however are being kept in inappropriate enclosures with inadequate lighting sources. They only have basking lights, no UVB. The Jackson pair are being housed with a Gecko in a glass terrarium (VERY SMALL), hardly enough room to move!! The Senegal is in an even smaller glass cage. When I inquired about their policy in selling these animals they told me "we make sure they have or buy everything they need to care for them properly". The problem is that they are telling people the cages and equipment they are using is all they need, this is so far from the reality of it
These animals will end up being sold to some Joe Blow off the street who will do what the shop tells them and the animals will suffer for it. I tried talking with the owner about proper lighting, even broached it as a method of him being able to gain more profit by selling the necessary UVB lighting and larger enclosures. He just blew me off and made it totally clear to me that if someone is willing to spend the $250 for the Veiled, $200 for the Jackson pair and $50 for the Senegal that he is not going to miss the sale just to ensure the animal is cared for right I am thinking of asking them if they would allow me to provide them a care sheet (from a reliable expert) that can provide clear care guide for the new owners). At least the Pet Smart in our town has hand out care guide with the lighting, temp and humidity info!!!!
I just need to vent a little about the experience today related to the local pet shop and their new acquisition of chameleons. They now have a fully grown (1-1 1/2 yr) male veiled, pair of Jackson (5-6 month), Senegal and soon to be arriving panther. They all look in great health at this moment, however are being kept in inappropriate enclosures with inadequate lighting sources. They only have basking lights, no UVB. The Jackson pair are being housed with a Gecko in a glass terrarium (VERY SMALL), hardly enough room to move!! The Senegal is in an even smaller glass cage. When I inquired about their policy in selling these animals they told me "we make sure they have or buy everything they need to care for them properly". The problem is that they are telling people the cages and equipment they are using is all they need, this is so far from the reality of it
These animals will end up being sold to some Joe Blow off the street who will do what the shop tells them and the animals will suffer for it. I tried talking with the owner about proper lighting, even broached it as a method of him being able to gain more profit by selling the necessary UVB lighting and larger enclosures. He just blew me off and made it totally clear to me that if someone is willing to spend the $250 for the Veiled, $200 for the Jackson pair and $50 for the Senegal that he is not going to miss the sale just to ensure the animal is cared for right I am thinking of asking them if they would allow me to provide them a care sheet (from a reliable expert) that can provide clear care guide for the new owners). At least the Pet Smart in our town has hand out care guide with the lighting, temp and humidity info!!!!
