Need to help poor chameleon

[kris150]

I went to petco today and I looked in the chameleon cage because they just got two new babies and there is a female in there that was there when I bought my guy about 2 weeks ago and she has MBD in her front legs to the point where she has trouble climbing and had to post herself up on her chin just to stay up. It was so sad to watch an I can't bare to just let it go. I can't take her in my care becuase I don't have the funding at the moment so I don't know what to do and I need suggestions!! PLEASE.

 

[kinyonga]

Did you talk to them about it and let them know what needs to be done about it?

 

[kris150]

Did you talk to them about it and let them know what needs to be done about it?

It was dog adoption day there today so all of the workers were no where to be found and I had to go to work so I didn't get a chance to talk to one but I did email petco about this when I got home but I feel like they won't address the issue until it's too late. Even if I went back in to tell them do you think they would do they're best to help it? I don't want the babies to end up like her

 

[xephyr17]

In my honest opinion, PetCo is a terrible place for reptiles to be... They take alright care of their dogs, cats and ferrets and whatnot, but they just don't know how to take care of their reptile creatures. Namely: Chameleons.

The best case scenario is you tell them that you've noticed she's got MBD and they're all over it and know what to do to help her. But that's most likely not the case.

You should definitely mention to them you noticed that and that you'd like to see her being correctly taken care of. Hopefully they'll be open to your advice and whatnot and will handle the situation accordingly.

If you could take her in, that'd be the best for her... I don't know that I could legitimately state that she's going to make it in their care...

It's extremely sad, but true. I was in PetCo just a couple weeks ago and the person told me that most of their chameleons die because they're "just too small," "aren't strong enough to survive," and "actually, most chameleons die when they're young in the wild and captivity anyway, so it's sort of a guessing game." All just sad lies...

I really hope for the best for the little girl! Good luck!

 

[kris150]

In my honest opinion, PetCo is a terrible place for reptiles to be... They take alright care of their dogs, cats and ferrets and whatnot, but they just don't know how to take care of their reptile creatures. Namely: Chameleons.

The best case scenario is you tell them that you've noticed she's got MBD and they're all over it and know what to do to help her. But that's most likely not the case.

You should definitely mention to them you noticed that and that you'd like to see her being correctly taken care of. Hopefully they'll be open to your advice and whatnot and will handle the situation accordingly.

If you could take her in, that'd be the best for her... I don't know that I could legitimately state that she's going to make it in their care...

It's extremely sad, but true. I was in PetCo just a couple weeks ago and the person told me that most of their chameleons die because they're "just too small," "aren't strong enough to survive," and "actually, most chameleons die when they're young in the wild and captivity anyway, so it's sort of a guessing game." All just sad lies...

I really hope for the best for the little girl! Good luck!

I know I feel like they just put them under a light and call it good. I'm just glad I could take in my little guy before he developed health issues! I will definantly go in tomorrow and let them know and hope they do something about it I wish I could take her in but I've already spent a fortune on my baby. Thanks for your help!!

 

[jrath]

The best thing to do would be to call the manager and express your concerns. Most of these chain pet stores have policies in place that if an animal shows any signs of illness then they must be seen by a vet. If they blow you off tell them that you are going to call the local ASPCA or whatever agency that deals with animal welfare in your area. The last thing they want is someone coming in and inspecting the welfare of all of there animals, so usually they will abide and take the sick animal to the vet to get you off their back. If not, make the call....

Sadly, the worst thing you can do is buy the animal, that just gets them off the hook and they will have another one to take its place in less than a week.
Even more sad but true is that the more animals that die in their care the more money they are loosing and they might actually start to take a look at their own husbandry and care and realize that they either need to change their care for them or stop carrying them all together. After all they are a business and if you just go in and buy the sick animals then all you are doing is helping them make a profit.

 

[kris150]

The best thing to do would be to call the manager and express your concerns. Most of these chain pet stores have policies in place that if an animal shows any signs of illness then they must be seen by a vet. If they blow you off tell them that you are going to call the local ASPCA or whatever agency that deals with animal welfare in your area. The last thing they want is someone coming in and inspecting the welfare of all of there animals, so usually they will abide and take the sick animal to the vet to get you off their back. If not, make the call....

Sadly, the worst thing you can do is buy the animal, that just gets them off the hook and they will have another one to take its place in less than a week.
Even more sad but true is that the more animals that die in their care the more money they are loosing and they might actually start to take a look at their own husbandry and care and realize that they either need to change their care for them or stop carrying them all together. After all they are a business and if you just go in and buy the sick animals then all you are doing is helping them make a profit.

Yes I completly agree with you. If I did take her in I would demand that I take her and not purchase her becuase she's not healthy and needs to be cared for. I wish they would just stop selling chameleons, they're just too much work for a minimal work place. I did not know that they ha those policies in line though so I will use that! Thank u lots!

 

[crazychamzoo]

I can't even hardly look when going to the local big box pet stores. 3 weeks ago I saw a juvenile male Veiled in one of those tiny glass boxes displays, he was so large in that container, and he could hardly turn around. Just made me sick!

 

[Psychobunny]

I know it sounds cold, but it may be best to get it out of your mind.

Buying a sick animal to rescue is very commendable, but are you prepaired for expensive vet bills, and the almost certain heartbreak when it dies?

I seldome set foot in a chain pet store, and only when I need supplies in a hurry, but I NEVER look at any of the animals.
I know if I did, I would just get upset.

 

[mnlwfan]

Just last week I went into PetSmart and I saw a veiled that was only a few months old and already showing signs of MBD. He had two obvious broken bones in his front leg. Plus, all the water he had was in a bowl.

I took pictures and I am creating a petition on Change.org for PetSmart to stop selling chameleons. As soon as I have it finished, I will post the link here on the forums for people to sign. The more signatures we have and the more attention it gets, the more likely it will be that PetSmart pays attention to it.

If anyone, by chance, has pictures of chameleons improperly cared for at PetSmart you can send them to me and I will see if I can attach them to the petition. This is PetSmart specific, so please, only pictures from that chain store.

 

[kris150]

Just last week I went into PetSmart and I saw a veiled that was only a few months old and already showing signs of MBD. He had two obvious broken bones in his front leg. Plus, all the water he had was in a bowl.

I took pictures and I am creating a petition on Change.org for PetSmart to stop selling chameleons. As soon as I have it finished, I will post the link here on the forums for people to sign. The more signatures we have and the more attention it gets, the more likely it will be that PetSmart pays attention to it.

If anyone, by chance, has pictures of chameleons improperly cared for at PetSmart you can send them to me and I will see if I can attach them to the petition. This is PetSmart specific, so please, only pictures from that chain store.

That is a great idea and I might just do the same thing for petco! Who knows how many other chams are suffering. I will look forward to your link!!

 

[kris150]

I just got off the phone with the manager of the petco I saw her at and told him what I saw and that she needed to be treated and he was very nice and said that the reptile specialist was at their store right now and he would go and look at the chameleon with her right now and if they saw something that needed to be treated in the chameleon, they would take it to the vet to be treated and they did not have a problem with doing that so hopefully this girl can be saved

 

[junglefries]

Good for you. Now try to relax. Check your blood pressure. Take an extra yoga class this week or have an extra glass of wine. Whatever you do to relax. Reward yourself. Maybe a new pair of Jimmy Choos. Something.... congratulations. I am sure the chameleon thanks you also.

 

[kris150]

Good for you. Now try to relax. Check your blood pressure. Take an extra yoga class this week or have an extra glass of wine. Whatever you do to relax. Reward yourself. Maybe a new pair of Jimmy Choos. Something.... congratulations. I am sure the chameleon thanks you also.

Lol I'll get right on the shoes! And thanks