You cannot import the skunks (or any other wild animals) for outside the state. Skunks also need to be vaccinated against common dog and cat diseases, such as distemper, as well as dewormed. Although It is illegal to sell or trade skunks within the state. the official policy or position of Skunk Haven. of Health to get a letter of authorization to keep a skunk. This way, you can keep most of your skunk's toys and bed in one room and limit its access to parts of your home that are unsafe for it (as well as prevent it from getting into items you don't want damaged). Little Rock: (501) 223-6300 or Toll Free: wastes We will not be providing ground transportation or airlines shipping for skunks. Skunks can be taken on walks or played with outdoors, but you should be mindful of taking them outdoors in the early morning or evening hours, as they can easily overheat. Visit the grants home page by clicking on the button above, or view a specific area of interest below: Learn about Michigan's diverse range of fish, plants, trees, reptiles, amphibians, insects and mammals. Any of the animals not covered under the guidelines are strictly prohibited. However, you can keep African pygmy hedgehogs, sugar gliders, ferrets, hybrid dogs and many other pets. Skunks will go through their shedding period two times per year, in both the fall and spring. We own and operate Skunk Haven Shelter. His name is King Leon, in homage. Well, having a skunk as a pet does need many extra considerations unlike keeping a rabbit, turtle, or any other animals in your yard. . You would also need to get the requisite permit to own a skunk as a pet. Of course, there is a permit offered for the new entrants. States like Kentucky, Michigan, Oregon and Pennsylvania allow skunks to be kept as pets as long as you have a permit and vaccinations. anyone touch or pet your captive born domesticated skunk or allow any of their The laws in Massachusetts offer limitations to owning skunks. This may lead to your skunk being seized and euthanized to You can keep the skunk as a rescue animal only till it is worthy of being rescued and rehabilitated to where it actually belongs to. list with caution. any live skunks. When born and raised in captivity, skunks can make friendly, intelligent, and unique pets. will be issued.See WVDNR, For information on captive wildlife licenses, contact: (Permit fee is required.). AND HAS THE RISK OF EXPOSURE TO DIEASES. no time in killing your pet domestic skunk.NEVER JOKE ABOUT BEING BIT BY However, you can import a skunk from outside the state. cage requirements must be met before you get your skunk. Skunks are a rabies vector species just like dogs and cats, but because the species still has an active wild population, some states prohibit domestic skunks. Nebraska - Banned Pets: bear, tiger, leopard, wolf, skunk Special permits are required for exotic animal ownership in Nebraska, but some animals are still not allowed no matter whatnamely, bears, tigers, leopards, wolves, and skunks. Once you are contacted about your skunk being ready, you have 7 days to make reasonable arrangements for pickup. It is unlawful to import into or However, this permit will always remain temporary in nature. But, the domesticated skunks have been observed to be much loving and docile. USDA license. While skunks themselves can be easily domesticated if they have been raised in captivity and kept as pets, you may need to check out the local legislation to ensure that keeping a skunk as a pet is approved and legal in your region. THIS WEBSITE IS GEARED TO THE BETTERMENT OF CAPTIVE They can also be quite ferocious. A permit from the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development is required to keep any native wildlife in captivity, according to the MDARD website. Skunks take a lot of care and attention, but none of it is particularly difficult. Wild skunks are a pest for many homeowners and dog owners, particularly due to their scent glands that leave a strong musky odor that's hard to get rid of. Please obtain A proper diet can prevent or minimize many of these problems, so regularly discuss your pets diet with your vet. Permits to authorize the possession of wild game reared in captivity only. Pets Help and Information, https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/43n3mm/inside-the-annual-festival-devoted-to-skunk-owners, https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/9kq3my/skunks-make-great-pets-according-to-the-founder-of-skunkfest, Pet Skunks Are Not The Stinkers You Think, Skunk Haven: Local Woman Lives with 50 Unusual Pets, Skunk Lovers Unite: A Look at Pets and Their People, Room with a peuw! Please HELP keep the shelter alive If your skunk gets out of the The most important aspect to "training" your pet skunk is spending time with them. are required to report bites by exotic pets to the local health How to Get Rid of Mites on Rabbits? Domesticated skunks are quite lovable, non-stinky companions. For further information please contact Emile LeBlanc at (225) 765-2344, Maine's laws changed Feb 2002 to Help a needy skunk in care at Skunk Haven. In addition to full time positions, we also hire many seasonal positions including park workers, interpreters, rangers, wildlife workers and more. Calendars: They get much of the water they need from the vegetables in their diet. No Importing skunks. The possession of wolf-dog hybrids, lions, tigers, cougars, cheetahs, leopards, jaguars, panthers, and bears is illegal in the state of Michigan. In fact, the state prohibits a wide range of wild animals and their keeping as pets. Can you have a pet skunk in North Carolina? Do note that owning skunks as a pet may not be legal in North Carolina. Contrary to information published on several websites, Michigan does not require a permit to obtain a monkey or ape. If you are in Michigan, and fond of skunks, you would be happy to know that the laws in Michigan allow keeping Skunks as pets. Contact the. Most SkunkHaven.Net links on each page use quick access features: For IBM-compatables press the [Alt] and the highlighted letter (some Handling a pet skunk can be quite a risky affair. Kentucky This is one of the regions in Canada that do permit you to keep the skunks as pets. care. Please check your county laws, even though the state Can you have a skunk as a pet in Michigan? Finally, click on the Sarah Scott is a fact checker with more than 16 years of experience in researching, writing, and editing digital and print media. Application and permit to hold wild game captive (Must be printed and filled out) karlumbriaco / Getty Stock / ThinkStock. would you like to adopt a pet It is illegal in most states! Well, Missouri is yet another state that does not permit you to keep a skunk as a pet. Cannot sell Anyone who sees the missing skunk is urged to contact Laretz. Wild skunks are a pest for many homeowners and dog owners, particularly due to their scent glands that leave a strong musky odor thats hard to get rid of. button. Bibliography listings are available by #Clydesdale #Friesian #Mustang #Draft, Difference Between Riding a Mule and a Horse, How to Take Care of Snapping Turtle Eggs? THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU TAKE A ANIMAL OUT OF THE WILD TO MAKE IT YOUR PET They can learn to be comfortable when handled by people and can be quite playful and cuddly. But, she says her life with more than 50 skunks doesn't stink at all! If you do not communicate with us or cannot make arrangements within 7 days your deposit will be forfeit. Skunks are native to Michigan and state law indicates theyre illegal to import into the state. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. As with all pets, it's important to consider whether or not you have the means and energy to care for a pet skunk. It's also a common preventative step pet owners can take to reduce the risk of hormonal cancers. state. My daughter and her friend burned something in the oven and without thinking the friend propped the back door open to air the house out, Laretz said in her post. browsers require you to press [Enter] after selection), For MAC computers press the [Apple] key and the highlighted letter. A permit from the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development is required to keep any native wildlife in captivity, according to . Dept. Just that, you should be ready to have them in your yard and be willing to take that extra trouble in raising them. We have our APHIS-USDA license and Ohio yourself and to talk to several officials at these governing If you're looking to own a pet skunk, one of the first things you should do is check the laws at the state and local levels where you live. PLEASE READ CLICK If you aren't using a formulated food, your skunk's diet should be roughly 60 to 70 percent lean protein, such as cooked chicken, eggs, fish, or feeder insects. We have contacts in many areas that In Michigan, you can have both. In the wild, skunks are most active at dawn and dusk, but a pet skunk can learn to be on its human's schedule. After your deposit is placed you will receive a confirmation email. Images & Identifications, How Big Do Dwarf Bunnies Get? Joann Snowaert of Gladstone, Michigan said she got her pet skunk, Lilly, a year ago. Owning skunks as pets in North Carolina is illegal. When raising or selling wildlife a license is required with the Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division at (517) 373-1263. Deposit is $200 and goes towards the total purchase price. Verify that it is legal to own a pet skunk where you live. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, vol. The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. 11 talking about this. If it does that, we will find our work has been rewarded. the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or If you're looking to own a pet skunk, one of the first things you should do is check the laws at the state and local levels where you live. permits for skunks are Educational (non-profit, in addition to, (435) 789-4078 & (435) 865-0861 Fax: Many wildlife are well adapted to living near people and as they become accustomed to humans they may cause conflicts. (208) 334-2148. The process is similar to how you would bathe a dogyou can feel free to wash them in your tub, and skunks will often enjoy swimming and splashing in the water during bath time. Bathe your skunk periodically (around once a month) or as needed if they get dirty while playing outdoors. If your pet skunk bites a person or another animal, authorities might seize it to monitor for rabies symptoms. Followed by navigation links to Previous, Index, and Next. Contact us if you have a pet skunk that button to continue. 9 Animals That Are, Surprisingly, Legal To Own in Michigan. Fish and Game Commission for the most up to date information be a good idea to check with your local government as well. Help the center through purchases at Chewy. Feeding them can be yet another difficult task as the skunks would need you to have a very balanced diet. You can wash them with a mild tear free baby or dog shampoo. We realize that many of you must make arrangements to travel from other states so the 14 days is not a hard fast rule, however, depending on the length of time, we may asking you to pay the remaining balance to hold a specific skunk. Amazing Facts #Images, How Much Weight Can a Horse Carry? It's ideal to look for a young skunk, which will be easier to tame and adapt to your household. See Hannah's and Flower's Story --->Pet Alert 05/2012. If youre interested in similar pets, check out: Otherwise, check out these other exotic animalsto find your next pet. be tested for rabies. Do skunks do better in their natural habitats than in a domesticated one? After printing and filling out the application form, mail it with any applicable fees to: Division of Fish & Wildlife. . It also means that you may Pesendorfer, M. B.,Dickerson, S., andDragoo, J. W.. You have to send a letter to Texas Wildlife Dept. You will be responsible for providing your own transportation. propagator permit, cost $75.00. Theyre also not prone to aggression when properly socialized, but they will bite if they feel threatened. Find camping and overnight lodging options, reservation info, rules and regulations and more. 9, no. you can no longer care for. 2001 - 2025 Skunk Haven Skunk Rescue, Shelter, and Education, Inc. ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************. Skunks should be . follows Holden Jones as he takes us through the sights, sounds and smells of Skunkfest 2014, a festival for, skunk owners and enthusiasts alike that has been, Deborah Cipriani and the volunteers at Skunk Haven want people. 2004-2025 Skunk Haven Skunk Rescue, . We have members Skunks have average grooming needs, similar to that of a low maintenance dog. please contact the States portion of the Aspen Skunk Rabies So make sure it always has access to its litter box, and plan to scoop out the litter daily. In Idaho, it is not legal for #Incubating #Hatching, What Does Aquatic Turtles Eat? Please go to this link to check the status of their However, you would need to have the right permits if you want to have skunks as your pets. There are [ED: We are currently working to update this special consideration, but you must call before importing the animal(s). Existing pets and long-term wildlife/exotic pet owners may be given Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. The vast majority are de-scented at a young age, and those who own them say skunks are generally friendlier than cats, they can be litter-trained, they love to snuggle in bed, and they can be quite funny. For a more detailed description of the laws in these states, While some areas have no issues with keeping it as a pet, a few others may want you to get a permit. New Mexico Captive Law does not negate TCA Law 70-4-208. If born and raised in captivity, they can be quite friendly and great pets. Shelter, and Education, Inc. 50-23-102. associates for our explicit purposes. It is unclear if a pet skunk with no scent glands to use as a defense mechanism would be able to survive a Michigan winter, where temperatures frequently drop to below. What kind of snake is black with a red ring around its head? before exhibiting. Skunks. Owning a domesticated skunk is not legal in every state, and places where it is legal may still require additional permits or permissions. In fact, the wild animals belonging to the list of provincial wildlife act can be kept as pets. Black bears and cougars, except under special exceptions. they issue any permit for any skunk as a pet. An exotic animal is any animal that is not native to the United States. beloved skunk put down and pay for the rabies shots that are required to be department. Here are 10 animals that are illegal to import, possess, sell, offer for sale or releasex26quot; in Pennsylvania: Hedgehogs. state or even the same office, have been known to interpret the In 1989 laws changed to Illegal to #Snacktime #LoveForFood. Your email address will not be published. If certain items such as towels, blankets, and clothing go missing, your skunk might have stolen them to make its bed softer. Pennsylvania Skunk ownership is not to be taken lightly, and skunk care, proper diet and veterinary care, like for all pets, is a 24/7 job. Well, skunks can be something quite weird as a pet. SkunkHaven.Net is our Domestic Skunk Care and someone and you want to spend the money, hire a lawyer to fight from having your In the US, it is illegal to own a pet skunk in most states. We reserve the right to edit submitted In the wild, skunks typically live no longer than three years, thanks to both natural predators and human-induced risks like cars and traps. That means a call to someone licensed to handle nuisance animals, like Sal Palombo, owner of Michigan Animal Control . Each state handles pet skunk ownership a little differently. Skunk adoption is a wonderful way to provide a Skunk a second chance and caring environment. DNR educators across the state provide fun, educational activities, programs and workshops year-round for adults, families and kids. laws differently, lending to confusion over what the actual law is. If you do not communicate with us or cannot make arrangements within 7 days your deposit will be . BAY CITY, MI She owns two parrots and a cat, but 16-year-old Keili Woodruff of Bay City has another pet that causes people to do double takes: a baby skunk. 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