Jackson's Chameleon rescue - need advice ASAP

[Kalira]

My boyfriend works at a Petsmart and there is a young female Jackson's in the sick room who's health has been declining over the past month. It's still eating and drinking, but its color is faded and it is very thin and lethargic. The store is willing to sell it to me for next to nothing, but I'm wondering if it's even worth the money and effort to try and save it, given how fragile chams are in the first place.

She is currently being housed in an aquarium enclosure, misted twice daily, and being fed a diet of crickets. My boyfriend says she has a UV light, though it's probably expired.

To those who have dealt with chameleons before, sick or otherwise, what do you think the chances are of this little girl pulling through?

If I go through with it, my course of action is to build her a temporary enclosure out of a 40 gallon trash can and some mesh, get her on a diet of waxworms until she puts on a little weight and gets healthy enough to digest crickets. I'm considering waiting at least a week to take her to the vets - I don't want to stress her out too much by moving her from location to location. If she shows signs of improvement within her first week or so, I'll take her to the vet's and have her checked out.

Thoughts?

 

[pssh]

Don't buy her! Ask to "adopt" her since she seems on death's door. She should go see a vet ASAP so the vet can see exactly what is wrong and help recommend what to do for her so that her health improves. You really shouldn't get her until you have everything for her set up. I don't know exactly what you mean you are going to do with the trash bin, but it doesn't sound like it will be a very good enclosure for her. They need ventilation.

 

[Kalira]

I'm sorry for not explaining the trashcan idea. This is a temporary enclosure that will provide basic needs while being inexpensive, so that I don't dump a bunch of money on a cage for an animal that might not make it. I'm going to cut out one side of the trash can (or two, if I feel that it needs more ventilation), cover the top and the sides that are cut out with mesh. I'll stick a plant in the can, 40watt basking light and UV light up top. If there's room I'll include a drip system of sorts, if not I'll just be sure to mist the enclosure a little more often.

 

[pssh]

I see. I thought you were just putting the mesh on top. That can work as a temporary enclosure. But seriously, don't spend any money buying her as it would best go towards her vet care. Buying her in such a weak state just shows that the store can get away with making the animal so ill and still get a few bucks out of it.

 

[Kalira]

I agree... I've gotten a perfectly healthy 3-legged hamster from this petsmart before for $0 - there's no reason I shouldn't be able to adopt a Chameleon that's sitting on death's door.

 

[Kate]

I agree... I've gotten a perfectly healthy 3-legged hamster from this petsmart before for $0 - there's no reason I shouldn't be able to adopt a Chameleon that's sitting on death's door.

Good luck with your rescue if you decide to go that way. Keep us posted.

 

[laurie]

Don't take that cham home. Let me explain.

I quote "I don't dump a bunch of money on a cage for an animal that might not make it."

I am sorry but most of the time taking a rescue means being willing to spent a good bit on money saving it, if it can be saved. You will have dumped a good bit of money before you even know if the cham will live. Without the knowledge and resources needed to help the cham, all you are doing is asking to have your heart broken when the cham dies.

This is based on my experience and that of others. Consider it my opinion, and make your own decision.

 

[Kalira]

I'm fully willing to pay the vet bills and do what it takes to get her well again, if possible. She'll be seeing a vet on monday if she survives the weekend. I'm just trying to cut corners where I can so that I can better afford her medical care if it turns out there's something wrong with her.

 

[Kalira]

I'll also add real quick that I rescued a green iguana back when I was a teenager, so I know how expensive vet care can be for an animal like this. The first vet visit alone was $500.

I am by no means optimistic that she will make a turn-around. I just feel obligated to try and do something, to try and save a life. The fact that she is still eating and drinking is a good sign, I think. I'm going to stop in to the pet store tonight and see what she looks like... if she isn't terribly lethargic, I may take her. We'll see. =\

Thank you for your input. I greatly appreciate the advice.

 

[maxttu]

I wish you all the luck if you decide to "adopt" her. I agree with previous posters in not paying a single .01 for her. Give her what she needs and I wish her a speedy recovery!

 

[laurie]

I looks like you know what you are getting into. I think knowing that about you, I would say go for it. You are the only chance that little cham has. Good luck to you both. If we can offer and help just let us know.

I'm fully willing to pay the vet bills and do what it takes to get her well again, if possible. She'll be seeing a vet on monday if she survives the weekend. I'm just trying to cut corners where I can so that I can better afford her medical care if it turns out there's something wrong with her.

I'll also add real quick that I rescued a green iguana back when I was a teenager, so I know how expensive vet care can be for an animal like this. The first vet visit alone was $500.

I am by no means optimistic that she will make a turn-around. I just feel obligated to try and do something, to try and save a life. The fact that she is still eating and drinking is a good sign, I think. I'm going to stop in to the pet store tonight and see what she looks like... if she isn't terribly lethargic, I may take her. We'll see. =\

Thank you for your input. I greatly appreciate the advice.

 

[Kalira]

So I went into petsmart to see her today. She doesn't look terribly ill, but she is fairly underweight. Her colors are definitely faded and she is a little lethargic. However given that her condition isn't horrible and she is still eating and drinking, she might pull through if she is put in the correct environment and sees a vet. According to my boyfriend and his supervisor, the cham's condition rapidly deteriorates at night.

Unfortunately, the head manager doesn't seem to think there's anything wrong with this animal (even though several customers, my boyfriend, and his supervisor all have complained otherwise). He wants to sell it for full price, or at most a 50% discount. I'm disgusted and outraged that someone in charge of a PET store won't acknowledge a sick animal when he sees one.

I'm going to research Petsmart's policy. My BF's supervisor told me that the cham comes with a 14 day guarantee and if she has to see a vet during that grace period (which she will) I think Petsmart is obligated to pay for it. Either way I'm looking at a minimum of $150 for the vet visit. The cham, full-price, is $130. I'm thinking it may just be easier to buy it at full price, take it to the vet's, then complain that it got sick and have Petsmart foot the bill. Although I shudder at the thought of giving them a dime of my money for an obviously sick animal.

What are your thoughts?

 

[DeremensisBlue]

So I went into petsmart to see her today. She doesn't look terribly ill, but she is fairly underweight. Her colors are definitely faded and she is a little lethargic. However given that her condition isn't horrible and she is still eating and drinking, she might pull through if she is put in the correct environment and sees a vet. According to my boyfriend and his supervisor, the cham's condition rapidly deteriorates at night.

Unfortunately, the head manager doesn't seem to think there's anything wrong with this animal (even though several customers, my boyfriend, and his supervisor all have complained otherwise). He wants to sell it for full price, or at most a 50% discount. I'm disgusted and outraged that someone in charge of a PET store won't acknowledge a sick animal when he sees one.

I'm going to research Petsmart's policy. My BF's supervisor told me that the cham comes with a 14 day guarantee and if she has to see a vet during that grace period (which she will) I think Petsmart is obligated to pay for it. Either way I'm looking at a minimum of $150 for the vet visit. The cham, full-price, is $130. I'm thinking it may just be easier to buy it at full price, take it to the vet's, then complain that it got sick and have Petsmart foot the bill. Although I shudder at the thought of giving them a dime of my money for an obviously sick animal.

What are your thoughts?

Paying money for a sick animal condemns another to take its place. When the store loses money due to an animal dying, regardless of the reason, they think twice about filling that spot with the same type of animal. It seems cruel for this individual animal, but you can't give Petsmart and this manager the monetary reward of profit. The whole reason they have the animal there is for profit. If they get their profit why would they change a single thing? The only possible scenario is to get this animal for free so it shows up as a loss. This can happen with enough pressure from customers, but many times the manager gives up hope getting full price when the chameleon is beyond saving. A sad situation.

 

[Kalira]

The problem here is that the department manager is known to ignore a lot of established protocols. If an animal dies they just toss it out with the trash, instead of logging it in a book and reporting it like they are supposed to. =\

While my BF is still working at this store, there's not much we can do, but once he finds a job elsewhere we fully intend on writing a disgruntled letter to corporate HQ.

 

[Ashleigh]

The problem here is that the department manager is known to ignore a lot of established protocols. If an animal dies they just toss it out with the trash, instead of logging it in a book and reporting it like they are supposed to. =\

While my BF is still working at this store, there's not much we can do, but once he finds a job elsewhere we fully intend on writing a disgruntled letter to corporate HQ.

wow. this guy needs to be reported....I agree that giving them money condems another animal to take it's place, but if she dies, the same thing will happen anyway, although you won't be contributing to giving them more money if you don't get her or can adopt her. I can't stand these pet stores sometimes...every Jackson I've seen in the store by my house is always sick looking. You should not have to pay anything to try and save her, although I admire you wanting to save her life. These poor animals just seem to be mistreated and neglected and I would never buy an animal from Petco or Petsmart EVER. It's just horrible what they do and it makes me sick for the poor animals :-( They deserve so much more :-( I hope that things work out that you can adopt her or at least get them to foot the vet bill since something is OBVIOUSLY wrong with her...I hope that either you can save her or make the rest of her life comfortable. How is this kind of stuff legal??? It's animal cruelty!!!

 

[Kalira]

How is this kind of stuff legal??? It's animal cruelty!!!

It's legal because nobody wants to go to bat for reptiles.. They aren't interactive like birds. They aren't cute and fuzzy like rodents or personable like dogs and cats. I think their care and welfare gets overlooked because, for many people, it's easier to "humanize" an animal that dances, talks, sings, does tricks, and plays with you, and thus will be higher on the list of "things that deserve legal protection".

Obviously reptile people view herps differently, but to most of the general public they seem almost disposable. Heck, you KNOW that's the case when you see baby iguanas being given away as prizes at state fairs and carnivals!

But I digress. I really do hate the thought of giving them money for a sick animal, and even though I feel a moral obligation to help, I don't think I could bring myself to do it for reasons that have already been listed. Good news is that the department manager is in hot water because of how he's been failing to handle things, but it's the general manager's final say on whether or not the chameleon is sick.

It baffles me that they even keep animals like Chameleons on display in the first place. Your average layperson that walks into a Petsmart or Petco isn't going to be qualified to care for a Chameleon in the first place. Trying to sell animals that are so prone to dying just doesn't make sense, especially from a business standpoint. Meanwhile, leopard geckos and bearded dragons sell very well and are hardy captives...

 

[WarmGreenandSlimey]

i hope she makes it was begging my mom to let me get a jacksons that they have at the petsmart near me but she says my panther is enough but they keep it in a tiny cage and he doesnt look to happy so again dont pay for her unless you are happy and think she might make it i wish the best of luck to you and her

good luck