A pet skunk

Although capable of living indoors with humans similarly to cats or dogs, pet skunks are somewhat of a novelty, and still relatively rare, mostly due to restrictive local and regional laws and the complexity of their diet, habits and care. The highest concentrations of pet skunks (family Mephitidae) are mainly kept in the Canada, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and the United States.

In certain parts of the United States, rescued or surrendered pet skunks can be adopted from licensed animal shelters, non-profit skunk educational organizations (such as the American Domestic Skunk Association), or even licensed breeders whom have been certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Baby skunk availability peaks during springtime, immediately following the skunk mating season. Rarely, fur farms will offer surplus animals to local pet stores, though the possession of skunks remains widely prohibited across America, without proper licensing and inspection.

Skunks are probably best-known for their ability to shoot foul-smelling liquid from their anal glands as a defense mechanism against potential predators. Most wild skunks will only resort to spraying as a final option if injured by a predator, cornered or otherwise provoked; to save energy, most skunks attempt to appear larger by flaring their tails as a warning, combined with hissing or growling, before fleeing. The mercaptan-emitting scent glands are usually removed in captive-bred or rescued skunks at about four weeks of age, similar to spaying or neutering—procedures which may also be beneficial, for captive skunks, to prevent unwanted offspring (as well as a more calm disposition). However, since 2006, the practice of scent-gland removal has been banned in the UK.

History

Skunks are native to the Americas, where several regional forms, species and subspecies are found, having been first-noted within historical records of Christopher Columbus. Skunks were also, reportedly, kept as pets by some Native Americans and First Nations.^[1] Farmers valued domesticated skunks for their ability to kill rodents and other pests. Skunk pelts were also used for coats and frequently passed off as marten fur. Before the 1950s, they were sold under ambiguous names such as "American sable" and "Alaskan sable".^[2] The courts finally ruled that the customer must be informed of any purchase that contained skunk parts. The skunk fur market subsequently collapsed. Since then, skunks have been mainly bred as pets, or as animals in show.

In the 20th century, most U.S. states outlawed the keeping of wild animals as part of their efforts to stem the spread of rabies. Only about one-third of states continue to allow possession of skunks. In the 1990s, skunk enthusiasts began establishing mailing lists and organized for skunk law reform. In the 2000s, similar initiatives took place in Canada.

Temperament

Skunks are sensitive, intelligent animals, and like all intelligent animals, temperament varies with each individual. In general, though, skunks have playful temperaments.^[3] Skunks tend to be highly curious and will open cupboards that are left unlocked. Some owners have noticed skunks smelling something that was spilled on the carpet long ago, and attempting to dig to find out what is buried there. Like ferrets, their curiosity can lead them into danger, especially if they crawl inside reclining chairs or other machinery.

Rabies

Skunks and other mammals can contract rabies by being bitten by an infected animal or eating the carcass of an infected animal. Although it is quite rare for domesticated skunks to get rabies, there have been cases in which an uninfected pet skunk bit a person and was euthanized by animal control personnel so its brain cells could be tested for rabies.

In the United States, there is no government-approved rabies vaccine or quarantine period for skunks. In Canada, Imrab 3 was used in a study for off-label use as a skunk rabies vaccine and to date it is not approved for skunk use.^[4] If a skunk nips or bites, and the owner can produce proof of vaccination, a 2-week quarantine is required, according to Vivianne Chernoff of Skunks as Pets Canada.

Many countries, such as Japan, require all newly-imported skunks to be quarantined.^[5] In 2003, The Guardian reported that the UK lacks sufficient quarantine kennels licensed to hold skunks.^[6]

Legality

United States

American laws on skunk ownership vary significantly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Most states prohibit keeping skunks as pets.

Legal status of skunks as pets

  Illegal

  Legal with permit

  Legal without permit

  Legal in some areas

American skunk dealers earning more than $500 a year on the skunk trade are regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS), which has established three classes of licensed skunk dealers.^[8] A class A license allows one to breed skunks; a class B license allows one to sell skunks; and a class C license allows one to display them to the public.

Skunk regulations can change from time to time, so prospective skunk owners may want to check with the Fish and Game Commission or Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in their state.

Legality of skunk ownership in the United States

State	Legality	Statute
Alabama	Illegal	[9]
Alaska	Illegal
Arkansas	Illegal [citation needed]
Arizona	Illegal	[10]
California	Illegal
Colorado	Illegal
Connecticut	Illegal
Delaware	Illegal
Florida	Legal, with permit	[9]
Georgia	Illegal	[11]
Hawaii	Illegal
Idaho	Illegal	[12]
Illinois	Illegal
Indiana	Legal, with permit	[9]
Iowa	Legal	[9]
Kansas	Illegal
Kentucky	Legal in some counties	[13]
Louisiana	Illegal
Maine	Illegal
Maryland	Illegal	[14] §10-621(b)(1)
Massachusetts	Illegal (since September 2006)
Michigan	Legal with permit; outside cage must be built; must be bred in Michigan	[15]
Minnesota	Illegal	[16]
Mississippi	Illegal
Missouri	Illegal	[17]
Montana	Illegal	[18]
Nebraska	Illegal	[19]
Nevada	Illegal	[20]
New Hampshire	Legal, with permit	[21]
New Jersey	Legal, with permit.	[22][23]
New Mexico	Legal, with permit	[24]
New York	Legal with permit, but only in limited areas.	[25]
North Carolina	Illegal	[26]
North Dakota	Illegal	[27]
Ohio	Legal, with permit	[9]
Oklahoma	Legal, but must have import permit and health certificate.	[9]
Oregon	Legal, if bought outside of Oregon, with import permit and health certificates. Illegal to sell or trade skunks.	[9]
Pennsylvania	Legal, with permit	[9]
Rhode Island	Illegal
South Carolina	Permit required since 2004; previously owned remain legal, but no more will be permitted. Illegal to buy or sell skunks.	[28]
South Dakota	Legal without permit; only one skunk per person.	[9]
Tennessee	Illegal	[29] TC 70-4-208
Texas	Illegal
Utah	Illegal	[30] R657-3
Vermont	Illegal	[9]
Virginia	Illegal	[31]
Washington State	Illegal	[32]
West Virginia	Legal, with permit
Wisconsin	Legal, with permit	[33]
Wyoming	Legal (classified as predatory animals; as such may be kept as pets, with no license required)	[34]
Washington, DC	Illegal

Politics

Several activists are seeking legalization of pet skunks in the jurisdictions where they are currently banned. Their activities have included supporting bills and testifying before legislative panels.

In 2001, Del. George W. Owings III introduced a bill in the Maryland legislature to legalize pet skunks in that state.^[35] Several officials spoke in opposition to the measure before the Environmental Matters committee. Mike Slattery, testifying on behalf of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, criticized the idea, saying it would encourage "Bambi syndrome", the tendency to domesticate wild animals. State health officials pointed out that the bill, HB 91, required rabies vaccinations when there is no federally approved rabies vaccine for skunks.^[36]

Rabies has, in fact, been a key issue in skunk-related legislative debates. Since wild skunks account for the second-largest number of rabies cases in wildlife in the US, many legislators have been reluctant to allow domestic skunks without an appropriate vaccine on the market. In addition to the problems at the state level, federal organizations set the policy for dealing with accidental skunk bites, which currently requires euthanizing the animal so rabies tests can be performed.

In February 1990, a rabies vaccine called Imrab 3 was approved for ferrets.^[37][38] Many skunk advocates believe the vaccine would also be effective for skunks, and are pushing to have it tested for this use. They also favor clinical tests to determine the appropriate quarantine/observation period in case of a skunk bite. This would provide a way to test skunks without the need for euthanasia. According to Aspen Skunk Rabies Research, part of the reason that this research has not been done yet is the high cost of these clinical trials, which would be difficult for drug companies to recoup.^[39]

In the early 2000s, People for Domestic Skunks gathered more than 4,000 signatures for its Nationwide Domestic Skunk Petition.^[40] According to Aspen Skunk Rabies Research, Inc., the effectiveness of petitions is limited by the fact that many important decisions are made by national organizations.^[41] The National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians' annual Rabies Compendium sets the procedures for what to do if a skunk bites someone.

In Canada, Mike Freeman of Freeman's Exotic Skunks was ordered in 1999 by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources to destroy his entire stock of 100 adult and 700 baby skunks. Although the agency had approved his farm in 1997, the 1998 Fish and Wildlife Act outlawed breeding. Natural Resources Minister John Snobelen ultimately gave him six months to sell or give away the animals in the U.S., saying, "No one wants to see these animals euthanized and that won't have to happen".^[42]

In the United Kingdom, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons recommended in 1987 that elective skunk scent gland removal be classified as an unacceptable procedure.^[43]

Organizations

Pet skunk organizations can be a source of useful advice for skunk owners. Some organizations also hold annual skunk shows. Prizes are awarded in categories such as Prettiest Tail, Friendliest, Most Talented, etc.

The American Domestic Skunk Association provides education for skunk owners and the public, 24-hour phone and web support, adoptions, rescue, rehabilitation, shows and events, as well as newsletters, a skunk care guide and a research program.^[44]

Owners of Pet Skunks is a non-profit organization whose mission is to better the lives of captive-bred skunks. OOPS has an annual picnic and publishes a quarterly newsletter containing informative articles about skunks, human interest stories, puzzles, information on skunk related laws, and regional and national events.^[45]

Skunk Haven Skunk Rescue, Shelter, and Education, Inc. is based in Ohio and provides 24/7 phone and web support, an international network of rescues and rescue supporters, education for new owners, and exhibitions and education programs. The shelter has Federal USDA/APHIS and State permits to accept surrendered pet skunks into the shelter and to perform adoptions nationally; Skunk Haven also maintains a regularly updated list of legal states.^[46]

Skunks as Pets has chapters in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Dakota, Mississippi, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Canada, and Germany.^[47]

Footnotes

References