Out of Town

[ysabel327]

Just wondering what you guys do when you go out of town. Since there aren't many people experienced with chameleons what's the best route to go? I live in northern Va anyone know a good reptile sitter?

 

[kinyonga]

Sorry I can't offer you advice...I never go away long enough to worry about it.

 

[Cleis85]

I usually have my neighbor come over and take care of my lizards... Hes not afraid of them and all I do is show him once how I feed and water them, then just leave some detailed instructions with my number and its all good. I would suggest getting some good timers and setting your lights to those so your sitter would not have to worry about that stuff.

 

[Jam]

Is there a vet school near you? Vet students tend to make very good pet sitters. Additionally if you have a vet for your cham s/he may know of another client who would be suitable.

 

[jannb]

A friend or neighbor that likes your chams would be good or even some vets (your chams vet) offer boarding.

 

[alhickabee]

I have a family friend who pet sits as a side job and mainly does dogs and cats, some reptiles. Dante was her first cham, so I showed her everything to do and gave her very detailed instructions and warning signs. I left the crickets in labeled cups with a little bit of lettuce, so all she had to do was pick out any bad lettuce and put the cup in the ficus and mist. Everything lights, dripper system that makes it rain 3 times a day and heater are all on timers/thermostat. She did a great job and I'm sure Dante enjoyed someone only coming in the room twice a day.

 

[hallenhe]

I work at a university, so people are always graduating and moving away. I've had at least nine cham sitters over the past eight years - only one of whom has prior reptile experience - and nothing's gone wrong (knock on wood!). I bring them over to the house the first time to show them where everything and everyone is, and I have a couple page write-up that goes through all the information again (where the bugs are, how many bugs, how to feed the bugs, dusting bugs with vitamins, how to feed the bugs to the lizard, how to water). I buy crickets just before I leave (find it easier to have the sitter feed just crickets than to have to rotate feeders), and leave money in case there's a cricket die-off. Most of my lights are on timers to begin with; any that aren't I put on timers when I go.

 

[lyndra]

Is there a reptile vet close to your home? Maybe one of the vet techs would like to make some extra money cham sitting for you. We have a vet tech stay at our house and take care of our critters every time we leave town. In addition to showing her where everything is, how everybody gets fed we also leave detailed instructions taped to the pets' fridge. I also take a picture of each pet, label it with the pet's name and tape that to the fridge. That way she knows exactly whom I'm refering to in the care instructions. Cricket food and silk worm chow get made in advance and are stored in the fridge or freezer. I leave extra light bulbs as well as Repti Suns, and everything is on timers.

 

[Cainschams]

I have cham sitted for a member before. What part of VA are you from. I live near Hagerstown M.D. Also what is needing to be taken care of.