The Austin Project

The Austin Project has been designed to help motivated and responsible older children and teens (ages 12-16) to be able to purchase their own panther chameleon. We will offer select chameleons on our site for only $100, given the child uses his or her own money to purchase the chameleon and they complete a short interview with us (via zoom, facetime or in person) where they will be asked to share their passion for and knowledge of chameleons and how they earned and/or saved up the money to purchase one. The interview is structured as a fun meet and greet, show and tell format and there are no wrong or disqualifying answers. In this interview they will also be able to see the chameleon they are wanting to purchase and handle it if it is possible for the interview to take place in person. If your child would like to purchase their own chameleon, simply fill out the form below and be sure to include the first name and age of your child and that you would like to set up an Austin Project interview. We will be in touch shortly to get you and your child scheduled. 

About the Austin Project

Austin is a very highly motivated and responsible 12-year-old boy who reached out to us via email to purchase a panther chameleon that he had seen for sale on our website. Through email correspondence, and over the course of several weeks, he asked many excellent questions such as cage size needed, lighting requirements, feeding schedule and more. He independently scheduled a day and time to come from out of town to meet the chameleons and asked if he would be able to place a deposit to hold the one that he was interested in. When 12-year-old Austin hopped out of his dad's truck and I learned that he was the one that had been messaging us, I was blown away! I was so surprised by his maturity, as well as his care and gentleness towards the chameleons here. I was fully confident in his ability to properly care for a chameleon (with a little help from mom and dad of course : ). I later learned that Austin intended to use his own money to pay for the chameleon. Here at Cloud 9, we believe everyone should have the ability to own one of these beauties, however, parents often will not allow their child to purchase one due to the high price tag. While chameleons are not for all children, certain children are naturals with them and the passion is born in them at a very early age. We have decided to make owning a panther chameleon possible for such children. We oftentimes underestimate kids, but Austin has showed us that there needs to be a space in this hobby for them as well. Austin, thank you for showing us that kids have what it takes to care for a panther chameleon and that changes need to be made to help more kids be able to do that!