Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone,

Out of the blue, I recieved a call to make a bussiness trip out to D.C. for 10 days. I leave this friday. I have to leave Cobalt behind, and am worried sick! A good friend of mine is staying the ten days, but has little knowledge of reptiles, and none whatsover of chameleons. Ive thouraghly reveiwed how to care for Cobalt, and left 3 extensive care sheets on him. Is there any advice I could give her, Do you think he'll be ok?! Thanks in advance for everyhing!

Michele

If there's a question about your friend's ability to care for Cobalt for 10 days, I would definitely reconsidered leaving Cobalt in her care.
Perhaps your vet, local humane society, or reptile pet shop might provide a list of chameleon keepers in your area willing to care for your ward in your absence? Cobalt would probably do better in the hands of even a less-than qualified petshop owner, versus your friend, I think. If something WAS to happen to Cobalt in your absence, I don't think you'd want that to get in between your friendship.
I remember caring for a friend's cat while they were away for 2 weeks. The cat REALLY missed them, got depressed, and ended up dying. The necropsy showed that the cat died of feline leukemia (the cat had it for a number of years, but it never manisfested itself. It manisted during their absence because the cat was so depressed). Nothing that I did wrong, and my friend didn't blame me per se, but I could still feel the resentment towards me.
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi@yahoo.com

Victor,

Thank you ever so much for the advice. I attempted to call the local vet, but to no avail. I contacted our local Zoo (binder park zoo) and they agreed to take him for the 10 days I will be absent. I just dropped him off, and they placed him in their "reptile room" wich stays 75-82 degrees. The staff are very knowledgable of chameleons, and own a panther chameleon of their own. His enclosure and all of his "belongings" were transported, and he is happy as ever! I think I may have regreted to leave Cobalt in my friends hands, but now I feel much more confident about my decision! Thank you so much,

Michele

PERFECT!!!!
Congrats on finding such an excellent caretaker for your chameleon while you're gone. I'm sure you and your fried will feel a LOT better about your trip now.
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi@yahoo.com

Maybe as a plan for the future your friend can get to know him and his care (if she is interested) in case something like this happens again. Just a thought
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha

She said she already read over all of the caresheets, and she's very fascinated in chameleons. She said she would LOVE to learn more about them, and when I arrive back from my trip, Im going to give her a few lessons on chameleon care and husbandry, thanks for the tip!

Michele

glad to help I have only one friend who I trusted to care for Luna, so I know how hard it can be to find someone. Tell your friend to lurk here - she'll learn a lot, get to "meet" us and then if you go away and she cham-sits she can come here if she has questions (or just call you - lol!)

Have a safe trip!

lele
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Chameleon Help & Resource Info

0.1 Veiled Chameleon - Luna
1.0 Beardie - Darwin
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Lita
0.1 African Clawed Frog - Skipper
0.3 Mad. Hissers (2 died ;(
0.1 Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula - Rosa Leigh
0.1 Goliath Bird-Eater Tarantula - Natasha