Story of the Chameleon I took from the store without paying!!!!!

Lazereth

Avid Member
Here is a little story about our little veiled chameleon.

Back on Oct 5th I needed “emergency crickets” for my chameleons due to me running out before my shipment arrived. So my girlfriend (Amanda) and I went to Metspart (I can’t use their name due to an agreement I signed, but i'll touch on that shortly and I truly hate going there). On the way there I had to use the restroom real quick, so we entered the store and I walked straight to the restroom. I came out to find Amanda staring into a small tank with a veiled chameleon inside, she looked at me and said “OMG” about 5 times. I then peeked inside and I couldn’t believe what i saw, a veiled chameleon that had retained shed all over the wrist and tail. I quickly grabbed my phone and took some pics.
(In-store)
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Her tail looked so bad with a ball at the end which you could already tell she has lost some of the length. We walked away to get some crickets (Amanda is almost in tears after seeing this) I told the young lady who worked there, I needed 200 crickets. So she started counting them out one by one, at which time I asked, so what are you doing with that Veiled? She immediately said “he’s going the vet tomorrow”. He? I told her "He" is actually a girl! Anyways, so I started asking more and more questions, like then why is “He” still out there with a price tag on the tank? After about 10 minutes of my questioning her she admitted they didn’t have an appointment set yet and she was planning on getting one setup soon, I told her there is no way she will make it before then. I then asked to speak to the manager, she went and got him. He came up to me and asked "What can I help you with?" I told him get a box, I’m taking her home now! (Amanda’s jaw about hit the floor.) The manager just stared at me not sure what to say, I then said don’t worry I’m not paying for her, but I can’t leave here knowing you guys are killing her. He then nodded at me and told the girl to go get a box. He stepped away and brought me a form to fill out and sign stating I will not disclose the circumstances of the chameleon and not use their name. Really weird to have a form like that readily available. I asked him how old she was and the manager said 1.5 years. At that moment I knew his cheese has slid off his cracker. So we got her home and gave her a bath to try to remove some of the shed before I put her to bed for the night. Luck for us we had plenty of extra equipment to give her proper housing. The veiled was not happy to say the least, even at the store she was nipping at me, but during her bath she started to calm down and I was able to hold her and work more on the shed. They were multiple layers of shed on her. She had to be in so much pain.
(Soaking her and helping the shed that was built up)
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When we brought her home Amanda and I discussed re-homing her if we are able to get her well again. She had a LRI, an eye infection, retained shed and over all didn’t look to good. Heck she wasn’t even able to coil her tail.
As we went to put her into her new home for the night Amanda looked at me and said “I love her” which was her way of tell me we aren’t re-homing her.
(She fell right to sleep, still more work to be done with the shed)
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After countless hours we are proud to say she is a healthy sassy girl now.
(Her home is at the far left)
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Here is a recent photos of her now!!!!!
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Wow what a transformation! She looks like a completely different cham! Kudos to you and your girlfriend!

I talked to a guy that came into my work (animal shelter) who works at the local pet store and he informed me that they are no longer selling chameleons unless specifically ordered.
 
Great job you guys did for that poor veiled in that pet store!!!
Now Miss beautiful veiled are ready to dance under those shining shining disco ball light in ur house club with the "free" admission :)
 
She looks amazing ^^, did she have to get part of her tail amputated or is she actually keeping all her tail? She's got some beautiful colors <3
 
She looks amazing ^^, did she have to get part of her tail amputated or is she actually keeping all her tail? She's got some beautiful colors <3
Where the ball was located, ended up drying up and falling off, we kept her really clean to prevent any more infections, it healed up nicely but it's a little short, Good news is she is able now to use it without any issues.
 
Great rehab story, thanks so much for sharing! Your little girl has gone through so much in her short life that I'm glad you aren't breeding her, and I'd encourage you to think twice if you ever acquire a male veiled. Love the "after" pic, keep them coming!
 
Great Job man! I was in said store just last week and they had a pair of Jackson's in separate cages but with the little dripper system in the tank, dripping straight into a bowl of water. There was no way for the chameleon to get water. I informed the guy working there of this and his said he would fix it. This story makes me think I should go check on them. Keep up the good work.
 
Great Job man! I was in said store just last week and they had a pair of Jackson's in separate cages but with the little dripper system in the tank, dripping straight into a bowl of water. There was no way for the chameleon to get water. I informed the guy working there of this and his said he would fix it. This story makes me think I should go check on them. Keep up the good work.
We stop at both retailers here and check on the chams now, not to long ago they had another veiled in there that has bark stuck is mouth, I told the guy there and he said i can't do nothing. Im just a dog groomer covering someones lunch he said... I told him good, now get someone over here with keys asap! All sad....
 
Great story. Every time I go to petco/petsmart I can't even bring myself to look at the chameleons! They looks so sad and unhealthy in there little glass tanks in substrate and feeding one mealworms :( wish I could help them all! It's a little fishy to me they have that form on file!! I'm very glad you helped that poor girl. She wouldn't have made it if it wasn't for you!
 
I swear I feel the same way when I go buy crickets for my buddy Jim while I wait I stare at the rest of the chameleons and wish I could take them all home
 
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