Requiring Pet Shops to give proper care sheets.

[Flick boy]

I would say he would not be healthy/ happy with the chameleon kit and here's why:

• the cage is too small for an adult cham, the minimum recommendation is 2x2x4ft size
• the lighting setup is wrong. They need an incandescent bulb for basking and a linear T5 or T8 for UVB. The compact bulb in the dual fixture is insufficient for providing D3 and will eventually lead to MBD
• The fake plants are insufficient. Live plants do a way better job at providing hiding places, shade, and maintaining humidity.
• Because we need to measure humidity, we'd need to add a hygrometer as well in addition to the thermometer provided.

With that being said, the first two are the two most expensive parts of the kit, and you would probably be better off just buying each piece individually.

Only asking due too the original post about what a pet store sells. Is this your opinion or fact ?

 

[CasqueAbove]

Instead of needing to form an entirely new association for this, do you think this is something that can be brought to the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians? Maybe it would be helpful if we could get them on board/ get their opinion (or maybe it could be a focus group!)

If you do a simple search for chameleon care sheet, you'll find many that are put out by vets & small animal hospitals.

Some have been criticized (as have some exotic and even herp vets) on this forum for not knowing their... stuff from a hole in the ground.

Vets—like breeders & keepers—have differences of opinions on proper care of chameleons (and everything else).

I see this as a potential problem. A survey of current veterinary chameleon care sheets might be helpful.

Searching for Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians chameleon care sheet doesn't yield much except a Position Statement on the Ownership of Amphibians and Reptiles as Pets (Approved by the ARAV Exec. Committee – July 29, 2014)

I did find a (partial?) list of ARAV care sheets on an animal hospital website, including one for Veiled Chameleons (but no other species). I can't find where these sheets came from on the ARAV site.

The Veterinary Support Personnel Network has a resource page, but the website for Reptile And Amphibian Care And Regulatory Information redirects to a "Domain For Sale" page.

I do find a Husbandry and Reproduction of the Panther Chameleon,
Chamaeleo (Furcifer) pardalis. 1999. ARAV Proc, 37-42.
mentioned in the CUMULATIVE TITLE INDEX BY SUBJECT of The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians
but having trouble actually locating that article; it may be available for a fee.

I'm getting a little blurry if anyone else cares to take up a search... ?

I do thank you for your efforts. This research is what will be needed.

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

Only asking due too the original post about what a pet store sells. Is this your opinion or fact ?

Lets say it flies in the face of many, many care sheets. YMMV.

 

[CasqueAbove]

Only asking due too the original post about what a pet store sells. Is this your opinion or fact ?

I would call this widely accepted. Other than the cage it self, the rest is useless.

 

[CBee7726]

Only asking due too the original post about what a pet store sells. Is this your opinion or fact ?

This is what seems to be the consensus on this forum

 

[jamest0o0]

Not that I'm against this idea, I wish you the best, but might have more luck trying to get people to boycott certain stores until they up their care. Money in or money out seem to be the only things that cause change.

 

[JoXie411]

Not that I'm against this idea, I wish you the best, but might have more luck trying to get people to boycott certain stores until they up their care. Money in or money out seem to be the only things that cause change.

Sorry when I see a tv reference I need to get it out or I die inside

 

[Fchamel]

I agree that something should be started to make sure the right care is being done. Best of luck! ???

 

[Flick boy]

Well if everyone agrees why not email zoo med if they sell chameleon kit that seems is no good which I have seen continues comments on the light's pet stores only sell what they are given

 

[CasqueAbove]

OK so upon some research, we are of course behind the times compared to some other nations. I did not look specifically for laws, but as mentioned rather a certifications. It would appear that in some places these are required, but more so desired. That is its like hair cuts in the US. A cosmetology degree is not necessarily required, but you will go much further if you have one.

It seams the concept of "Certification groups" is actually popular in business, just not applied to the herp culture.

Now If I could form a group of a number of vets and specialists to approve various care sheets, the next step would simply be to market it. As the number of vets and specialists for herps is small across the US, it would be likely that it would include names that would be know in the hobby from various regions.

As our goal here is not about profit, it would be an easy sell. Do you want your care sheets verified, so that you can put this vet certification sticker in your window? No cost or minimal.

The Second aspect that could offered is online certification courses that pet store employees an get (I think this is what I am seeing in other countries). Again low or no cost. This is more complicated, and would require a platform like https://chameleonacademy.com

Overall I think there are models to follow.

I may have to reach out to some vets. I think you would want them from all over. Soooooooooo Any Vets think this might be something they could be interested in.