Trillian
New Member
Gradually coming to terms with my loss this week. I've been thinking about rescues in general, and looking at my own behaviour and careful combing of Petfinder and Craigslist for things I could rescue. I'm fairly sure that I could easily cross the line into becoming an animal hoarder, there are always more animals needing rescue, and chameleons need experienced keepers!
Anyway, unless there are particular circumstances, I'm not going to rescue another chameleon. I've lost three now, all WC, and in their case I know that even if I managed to sort out their physical illnesses, they wouldn't be able to adapt to a life in captivity and I just prolonged their suffering. I know that not all WC chameleons have the same struggle, some really thrive with the right care, but I can't bear to go through it again, and will not even indirectly support the trade in WC chameleons.
But I still have the urge to rescue, so I've signed up to volunteer at a local wild animal rehabilitation centre. I'm booked on a course on Sunday to teach me how to properly nurse baby birds, as they are struggling with well-meaning people bringing in lots of babies this season! Should be fun, I've never done anything like this before, and I'm really looking forward to it!
This is what I found on my doorstep as I was bringing an empty box home from the vet yesterday, from the nest above our window, where he fell and was returned a couple of weeks ago, I took it as his seal of approval!
Anyway, unless there are particular circumstances, I'm not going to rescue another chameleon. I've lost three now, all WC, and in their case I know that even if I managed to sort out their physical illnesses, they wouldn't be able to adapt to a life in captivity and I just prolonged their suffering. I know that not all WC chameleons have the same struggle, some really thrive with the right care, but I can't bear to go through it again, and will not even indirectly support the trade in WC chameleons.
But I still have the urge to rescue, so I've signed up to volunteer at a local wild animal rehabilitation centre. I'm booked on a course on Sunday to teach me how to properly nurse baby birds, as they are struggling with well-meaning people bringing in lots of babies this season! Should be fun, I've never done anything like this before, and I'm really looking forward to it!
This is what I found on my doorstep as I was bringing an empty box home from the vet yesterday, from the nest above our window, where he fell and was returned a couple of weeks ago, I took it as his seal of approval!