Recently I learned that my youngest sister-in-law purchased a Chameleon for her dorm room. Now, I have no problem with having (approved) pets at school. They can be calming and soothing to people who need that feeling of companionship with someone other than their roommate. Plus, it's always a cool conversation starter when you're trying to make new friends. The issue I had with my sis's purchase is the fact that Chameleons are known to be one of the most DIFFICULT reptiles to keep in captivity. I don't mean that they escape easily, I mean they die easily.
Chameleons are amazing reptiles. Not only do they look AWESOME, but they can change color and their tongues are like sticky rubberbands that stretch super far to catch prey. I don't blame anyone who wants to keep one as a pet - they look like little aliens! The problem is, people forget to do the research (there's my favorite word) before bringing the Chameleon home. This is a reptile that needs an extremely specific environment to survive. Humidity, heat, water, food - all very specific. I have seen numerous websites and read numerous books that state emphatically that Chameleons are not suitable for beginners.
So why did Petco sell a baby Chameleon to someone who had no reptile experience? Because that's what pet stores do. Unless you go somewhere like the East Bay Vivarium (http://www.eastbayvivarium.com/), where reptile husbandry is the only business they do, then you're not going to get all of the information you need before bringing your little bundle of scales home. People that work in big chain pet stores know a limited amount about each animal they are selling you (trust me on this, I used to be one of them). They go through a few days of training, then get tossed out on the sales floor to help people with something that really takes years of practice and learning to master.
Before buying ANY pet, you should always give yourself a day or two to research and be sure it's going to fit in with your lifestyle. For example, if you are a busy mom who barely has time for herself, you should not bring home a pet that needs lots of TLC. Animals in this category include, but aren't limited to, dogs, any small animal (cage cleaning and daily handling are necessities with these pets), certain reptiles, amphibians, birds (especially parrots, parakeets and cockatiels - all of these birds need handling daily in order to bond with their owner), and any fish that needs a tank with filter to survive (the only fish not in this category is the Betta). This limits your options, but also means you will not have to explain to your kids why their pet died or had to be given away.
In general, there are certain animals that just shouldn't be sold in pet stores. The number one animal on that list (in my opinion) is the dog. Whenever I see a sign in a pet store window advertising puppies, I know that I won't ever be going into that store. If, on the other hand, there is an adoption day at a pet store, I will be more likely to give my business. Puppies should not live in cages (don't confuse this with crating, there is a huge difference). They need to have freedom to roam in a safe environment in order to develop properly, physically and mentally. Unfortunately, the puppies you see in pet stores are usually crawling with parasites and have congenital defects due to inbreeding at puppy mills. Plus, their feet don't do well on the wire flooring, which can cause problems with legs, paws and spines. Another thing to keep in mind is that pet stores jack up the price of a "purebred" puppy in order to profit substantially. Half the time you're getting a sick, inbred mutt (don't trust the word purebred, it is not always accurate) that will cost more in vet bills than you can afford. I know some people think they are "saving" the puppy from a wire-bottomed hell surrounded by plexi-glass, but really you are just keeping the business alive. As hard as it may be to hear, it is better to not buy that puppy than to take it home out of pity.
Other animals that pet stores should stop selling to the uneducated consumer include reptiles, fish and amphibians with very specific needs, rabbits, chinchillas and many types of birds (mainly parrots). I've never seen cats for sale at a pet store (I did work at a store that was a satellite for the county shelter and had cats for adoption, which is different), but I think it's safe to say kittens would have the same issues as puppies do, so put them on the "do not sell" list as well.
It is always a better idea to give a pet purchase some thought before jumping in. Most pet store employees are not as educated as they could be. Even the few that are would need more time than is given to lay out the real impact a pet can have on someone's life.
Surf the web, read books, talk to breeders and enthusiasts of the pet you're looking into. Don't trust the 20-year-old pet store employee who gives you a checklist of supplies, but neglects to inform you of issues you'll run into with the animal you are bringing home.
My sister-in-law's Chameleon did not survive, I am sad to say. Due to improper care (at the pet store), the poor thing was already suffering from calcium deficiency, a condition that affects MANY pet store reptiles, before it was purchased. If I'd had the chance to give her some advice before she bought that cute little Chameleon I would have suggested a better beginner reptile such as a Bearded Dragon or a Leopard Gecko. Both are much easier to care for and make much better pets (Chameleons don't like being handled, it stresses them out).
I hope people will read this and heed my advice. I don't blog to be critical, just to give you all better insight into the world of owning a pet.
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