Oh no..I have to go on vacation

[Zubi]

My parents are making me go to my cousins wedding in Cali, problem is I dont know what to do with Leo. Im leaving the 31st (Thursday) of this month at around 7 at night. Im coming back on that sunday at night as well. Im definitely going to buy an automatic mister. But I dont know if i should just leave him home alone, or find someone to take care of him. My dad was thinking of putting him in his store where his employee can take care of him. He has some experience, he owns a tarantula and can probably just feed my boy silkies. Or should i leave him with someone who owns chams..... What would you people do. And finally if anyone who lives in the chicago area would be willing to watch my boy, ill be willing to pay.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Have a trusted (someone your parents trust too) friend, neighbour, family member come in and water (and feed if gone more than three days). This is less stressfull for the chameleon than relocating it.

As I have quite a few pets, I walk the pet sitter through it a couple times, then have them do everything one day prior to my leaving with me there to observe and correct anything they miss. And I leave written reminder instructions.

 

[Zubi]

I really cant have anyone come into my house to take care of him. Pretty much my entire family here is going to the wedding. Im afraid my only option is to relocate (I DONT WANT TO GO)

I am going to be gone three days straight, do you think he will be fine alone?

 

[Elizadolots]

How old is he? If he's an adult and you have automated lights and water, he should be fine for 3 days. Just feed him really well right before you leave.

I would, however, strongly recommend that your parents leave a key with someone they trust just in case something happens to extend the trip.

 

[Montium]

How old is the cham? if it's not real young you sould be able to free range some feeders if it's not a young cham it should be just fine. Less is more on the feeders. My adults will go days between feedings and they don't lose any weight.

 

[Zubi]

Hes eight months old. See thats the thing we really dont have anyone we trust around here (Well we do, but theyre going to Cali with us)

 

[Montium]

He should be fine. Pork him out before you go and make sure you have a water source.

 

[Zubi]

He doesnt really eat alot, so how can i make him eat more? He eats about 4 crickets a day

 

[sandrachameleon]

I really cant have anyone come into my house to take care of him. Pretty much my entire family here is going to the wedding. Im afraid my only option is to relocate

You have no trusted neighbours or friends?

Well then perhaps there is a vet that will board him for a few days?

He doesnt really eat alot, so how can i make him eat more? He eats about 4 crickets a day

Give him something more interesting that crickets silkworms might be a good option

 

[Zubi]

Nope no trusted neighbors or friends, I think leaving him at a vet would be the same as leaving him at my dads store where I know his employee will take good care of him. Even when I feed him silks he only eats like two or three

 

[AlecWade]

Hey Zubi,

Sorry to hear about your predicament! I just wanted to say I would be willing to watch your cham and do the best I could if you are unable to find an easier option. As you know I'm not too far from your location and I don't think it would be too hard to relocate him for the couple days your gone. I also have a 24x14x14 reptarium he could stay in and we could fix him up in temporarily.

How big is his cage? I would offer to make my way to you each day but I really couldn't unless I could be reimbursed for the hour and a half I'd be driving each day! PM me if you'd like. We could chat on the phone or even meet in person if you'd feel more comfortable.

I'd be honored to take in Leo for a few days and I really want you to meet Nasir

 

[Lathelia]

Can't you just leave a few crix or silkies in his cage?

 

[Zubi]

Yeah thats what i was thinking, but what if something like the mister or dripper stopped working. That would be very bad, and since nobody can come to my house to check on that, it would be even worse.

 

[Elizadolots]

Yeah, but as long as nothing delays your return, 3 days is not that long.

You probably have really awesome drainage because of the misting system, right? Can you maybe rig a "super dripper" that can't possibly go dry in under 48 hours? My first thought, if I were to try to do this at my house, would be to use one of the 5 gallon water bottles we have for our cooler. I would figure out a way to get it up higher than the top of the cage, run a tube out of the top of the 5G that's long enough to reach the cage, suck water into the tube then clamp it down so it only drips a bit...secure it to the cage top. Make sure the tube goes all the way to the bottom of the 5G (secure that with tape).

It could work.

 

[Zubi]

i actually dont have any drainage or the auto mister yet. But im definitely going to figure that out tomorrow. Would a 5 gallon tub hooked up to the mistking be enough water for three days? Also I was thinking of having the mistking spray into the dripper. Well that is if i dont find anyone to watch him.

 

[Elizadolots]

I don't have an auto mister so can't help you with that, but I do think you can rig it so you have water dripping for most of the time you are gone.

You absolutely have to have drainage though. One easy approach: get a cheap table or make one with bricks and a piece of wood. Cut a good size hole in it (at least 3 inches, preferably more). Put the cage on the table, drill holes in the bottom of the cage over the hole in the table. Put a container under the table to catch the water. Now...because you are talking about gallons of water and days away, you need to make sure your container is big enough to hold all that water! Normally I would think a 5 gallon bucket was more than enough, but for you, I think you need to consider a big storage container. Maybe something like this: http://www.sterilite.com/SelectProduct.html?id=64&ProductCategory=181&section=6

Edited to add...maybe you could even get a tote that's big enough to use as a table...just cut a hole in the lid, put the cage on the tote with holes drilled in the bottom....let it collect water while you're gone. The size of your cage determines whether that would work....but even if your cage is too big, you could probably use the tub to support a piece of wood to support the cage.