This is a question for a personal website made for pet skunk owners. We are trying to see how well educated the public is about pet skunks.
2006-07-30 02:35:46 · 33 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Yes in some states/counties skunks are illegal. Some require permits. Most skunks are born on fur farms. They are descented before they are delievered to pet shops/personal sellers. So they do not spray or have a foul odor.
2006-07-30 02:40:41 · update #1
Also for people who are saying they are wild animals.. YES AND NO......the ones in fur farms have been domesticated for over 150 years they know nothing about being wild.
2006-07-30 02:42:43 · update #2
Also as far as rabies goes.. there has not been ones case of rabies is a fur farm in 168 years....as far as wild ones go..thats a give in for any animal.
2006-07-30 02:44:52 · update #3
Rabies----its not that it wont "take" rabies vacs can actually give rabies to the skunk.
2006-07-30 02:47:05 · update #4
I work in wildlife rehabilitation. We received a "desented" skunk that obviously couldn't be rehabbed. I brought her home and for the next 13 years, she was one of the most wonderful additions I've ever made to my life. Litter box trainable, gets along with other species, very loving. I never caged her, she was just part of the family. Oh, first reaction to skunk pet owners - Adventurous, "out of the box" people.
2006-07-30 03:49:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
A few things to remember: You may tame a skunk but you can never domesticate them. They are a wild animal and always will be. Skunks, even when they have had their scent glands removed still have an odor.
Lastly: Skunks can carry rabies all of their lives and never show any symptoms. The Texas Department of Health will not recognize a rabies vaccination certificate for a skunk. In classes I took for certification as an animal control officer we were told that a rabies vaccination for a skunk will not "take"...in other words they can be immunized against rabies.
Good luck.
2006-07-30 02:42:24 · answer #2 · answered by Albannach 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I knew someone who had a pet skunk. Of course, the scent glands had been surgically removed by the vet and it could not spray. There was no danger of any kind. The skunk was just as friendly and cuddly as any cat that they had ever owned. Although, when it was out in the yard, I'm sure that people who were passing were worried that it might spray.
It just goes to show how people automatically jump to conclusions.
2006-07-30 02:40:53 · answer #3 · answered by SB 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I like skunks - relatives fostered a litter years ago found alongside their dead mama (hit by a car) - scooped them up and kept them in the barn hay loft until one by one they were old enough and wandered back off. They weren't descented and never sprayed anyone.
And for the Texas animal control info - if that's what's being taught now no wonder there's so many misinformed people with badges. Rabies is NOT something they "carry"...they either have it or they don't.
2006-07-30 03:03:10 · answer #4 · answered by Jan H 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Seems like the owners are the ones that aren't well educated. Skunks are not domesticated animals. It would be like having a raccoon, squirrel, or wolf as a pet. They may be fine most of the time, but they can snap and revert back to their wild ways under certain circumstances. I know that owners have the "stinker" removed, but that doesn't change their feral nature.
2006-07-30 02:39:26 · answer #5 · answered by Blunt Honesty 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i think it is a different pet but i would have one if i could when o was in first grade we actually had a class pet and it was a skunk and it did very well as a pet but you have it descented by a vet and keep them up to date with their shots and have the right permits for the skunk and i think it would make kinda a different and cute pet so i think people who have them are very special people and i am ver happy for them so take care of the skunk if you have one they are special and misunderstoon also so keep that in mind also
2006-07-30 02:40:14 · answer #6 · answered by skyppolar_green 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they are neutered or de-skunked, removal if the scent gland they would be just like a kitten in the house, they can be litter trained also.
I have pet fancy rats & they are litter trained but in a large cage. They get out several times a day to play & are wonderful clean pets.
2006-07-30 02:40:03 · answer #7 · answered by day by day 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That could be cool, as long as you had him/her descented. Aren't they a lot like cats?
My mother used to want one.
Actually, I held a baby once. I was living in Marshfield, MA, and there was a mama and several little ones following her. I followed them and caught the last baby. I picked him up, just to pet him, but mama made a concerned sound like, ererrerer, so I put the little sweetie back down gently. Luckily, I didn't get sprayed.
2006-07-30 02:43:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nothing wrong with it at all! You could have the glands/sacks that produce the "perfume" removed (deskunked). But people should remember, skunks use that smelly feature to protect themselves, their territory, their young, etc. So if they don't feel threatened, no stink!
2006-07-30 02:40:06 · answer #9 · answered by shire_maid 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I REALLY want one but it is unfortunately illegal in my state:-( My dad had one when he was a kid... I don't understand why it's illegal to own even captive bred ones (especially the "designer colors" where it's obvious you didn't just walk outside and grab one), when it's legal to own raccoons here, it's not like one is more likely to carry rabies than the other...
2006-07-30 02:45:34 · answer #10 · answered by snake_girl85 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋