Iguana Babysitting

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Posted by M.Eguro on August 11, 1999 at 16:42:53:

Hi Folks,

I was reading some of the babysitting posts, just want to give my opinion on the issue.

When I was working a lot, I used to go from my home in LA to my apartment in Japan every month, if not twice a month for many years.
So I know the heartache that comes with having to send an iguana to a babysitter and worrying about whether
my ig would come back with half the tail missing or whatever.There are so many sitters who are really irresponsible, it makes me sick. Now I have semi-retired and can babysit for others.I am glad Des feels like she can trust me. I try
my best to pamper and love all my iguana guests i.e. temporary "kids". I will not take in more than I can handle, which is three iguanas. Even though I don't work and can stay at home all day if I need to, keeping my eye
on three guest iguanas a day is a lot of work. None are put in cages but rather given freeroaming areas or rooms. They all get direct sunlight everyday even if I have to sit outside with them and hold them carefully. They all get daily baths, if not twice a day (or sometimes three daily baths if they have poopy accidents) in the over size tub which I disinfect between every use.

I have a standard contract I have almost everyone sign (Des is an exception,having
known her for years and trusting her completely). I will not babysit for anyone else unless they sign the contract. I have attached the contract here for anyone
else who is thinking about babysitting to read.

I really believe anyone who is thinking about iguana sitting should get a microscope and learn how to use it. SO MANY iguanas I have babysat,
even those that have previously been tested for internal parasites and are supposed to be "clean", have everything from
hookworm to other nematodes and protozoa when I perform a fecal exam on them. An iguana that tests positive for nematodes I keep in a 10ftX12ft area of my house that
has no carpet, otherwise I put my own two iguanas who freeroam at risk.

Pet sitting is really a serious thing, you have a person's cherished "child" who is completely dependant on you
to give him or her a loving home while their special human is away. The person is paying and TRUSTING you to do a good job. anyway, that's my opinion. here's the contract:
Sorry this was so long!

Pet Sitting Agreement

I, ____________________________(iguana parent), give Marie Eguro permission while she is temporary caretaker to seek veterinary services for my pet iguana if she feels the need to do so. Marie has had lizard pets for the last 16 years and I trust her judgment; I give her full authority to ascertain whether my iguana may need the professional care of a veterinarian, and I agree to pay for any and all of the veterinary service bills that may occur while my iguana is in her care. If I prefer a particular DVM _________________(specified here) I will tell Marie before leaving my pet with her but under no circumstances can I be guaranteed that the particular doctor will be available should an emergency arise and in such situation, Marie Eguro shall obtain the services of any other DVM she chooses.

Aside from the above exception, I understand that Marie Eguro will personally care for my pet iguana to the very best of her ability, which will include proper temperatures, daily feedings and warm baths, as well as gentle interaction and direct sunbathing for UV exposure appropriate for an iguana. I agree to pay a fee of $5/day PER IGUANA for these services, which will be paid in full upon leaving my iguana with her.

In the event that I abandon my iguana or fail to return for the lizard one week after the agreed pick up date, I understand that Marie may need to find a new owner for the iguana, and will not fault her for doing so. In the event that my plans change and I will not be able to pick up my iguana by the specified date, I will contact Marie directly before the original pick up date to reschedule. I will be subject to the extra pet sitting fees that may incur due to extended stay.

Often, nematode and protozoa are found in the feces of iguanas. Since these parasites can easily spread to other iguanas if infected animals are not isolated, I give Marie the authority to treat my iguana appropriately, should my iguana be found to harbor these parasites through microscopic fecal examination.

Agreed drop off date:____________________
Pick up date: ______________________

Iguana Parent _______________________________

Temporary Iguana Caretaker/ Fosterparent________________________________

Date _________/_________/__________

Follow Ups:

Nice work Marie,wish you were here in Fla,,so we could take a real vacation.,,,,nm cirsisue 8/12/99 (0)
Re: Very nice work Marie! n/p BabyHerp 8/12/99 (0)
In my next life.... Desiree 8/11/99 (0)
Re: Iguana Babysitting Iguana03 8/11/99 (1)
- Re: Iguana Babysitting cirsisue 8/12/99 (0)
woo! Marie saved me work :) Desiree 8/11/99 (0)
This will be added to my web site soon... "Le iguana Spa" a Spa for your Iguana! M.Eguro 8/11/99 (2)
- Busily designing..... Iguanamomma 8/11/99 (1)
  - Wot about "sounds of the rainforest" LOL M.Eguro 8/11/99 (0)

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: Hi Folks, : I was reading some of the babysitting posts, just want to give my opinion on the issue. : When I was working a lot, I used to go from my home in LA to my apartment in Japan every month, if not twice a month for many years. : So I know the heartache that comes with having to send an iguana to a babysitter and worrying about whether : my ig would come back with half the tail missing or whatever.There are so many sitters who are really irresponsible, it makes me sick. Now I have semi-retired and can babysit for others.I am glad Des feels like she can trust me. I try : my best to pamper and love all my iguana guests i.e. temporary "kids". I will not take in more than I can handle, which is three iguanas. Even though I don't work and can stay at home all day if I need to, keeping my eye : on three guest iguanas a day is a lot of work. None are put in cages but rather given freeroaming areas or rooms. They all get direct sunlight everyday even if I have to sit outside with them and hold them carefully. They all get daily baths, if not twice a day (or sometimes three daily baths if they have poopy accidents) in the over size tub which I disinfect between every use. : : I have a standard contract I have almost everyone sign (Des is an exception,having : known her for years and trusting her completely). I will not babysit for anyone else unless they sign the contract. I have attached the contract here for anyone : else who is thinking about babysitting to read. : I really believe anyone who is thinking about iguana sitting should get a microscope and learn how to use it. SO MANY iguanas I have babysat, : even those that have previously been tested for internal parasites and are supposed to be "clean", have everything from : hookworm to other nematodes and protozoa when I perform a fecal exam on them. An iguana that tests positive for nematodes I keep in a 10ftX12ft area of my house that : has no carpet, otherwise I put my own two iguanas who freeroam at risk. : Pet sitting is really a serious thing, you have a person's cherished "child" who is completely dependant on you : to give him or her a loving home while their special human is away. The person is paying and TRUSTING you to do a good job. anyway, that's my opinion. here's the contract: : Sorry this was so long! : Pet Sitting Agreement : : I, ____________________________(iguana parent), give Marie Eguro permission while she is temporary caretaker to seek veterinary services for my pet iguana if she feels the need to do so. Marie has had lizard pets for the last 16 years and I trust her judgment; I give her full authority to ascertain whether my iguana may need the professional care of a veterinarian, and I agree to pay for any and all of the veterinary service bills that may occur while my iguana is in her care. If I prefer a particular DVM _________________(specified here) I will tell Marie before leaving my pet with her but under no circumstances can I be guaranteed that the particular doctor will be available should an emergency arise and in such situation, Marie Eguro shall obtain the services of any other DVM she chooses. : Aside from the above exception, I understand that Marie Eguro will personally care for my pet iguana to the very best of her ability, which will include proper temperatures, daily feedings and warm baths, as well as gentle interaction and direct sunbathing for UV exposure appropriate for an iguana. I agree to pay a fee of $5/day PER IGUANA for these services, which will be paid in full upon leaving my iguana with her. : : In the event that I abandon my iguana or fail to return for the lizard one week after the agreed pick up date, I understand that Marie may need to find a new owner for the iguana, and will not fault her for doing so. In the event that my plans change and I will not be able to pick up my iguana by the specified date, I will contact Marie directly before the original pick up date to reschedule. I will be subject to the extra pet sitting fees that may incur due to extended stay. : Often, nematode and protozoa are found in the feces of iguanas. Since these parasites can easily spread to other iguanas if infected animals are not isolated, I give Marie the authority to treat my iguana appropriately, should my iguana be found to harbor these parasites through microscopic fecal examination. : Agreed drop off date:____________________ : Pick up date: ______________________ : : Iguana Parent _______________________________ : Temporary Iguana Caretaker/ Fosterparent________________________________ : Date _________/_________/__________

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