Skunks??

Happer

Hey guys,
Was wondering if anyone here knew of anywhere in the republic of ireland that sell pet skunks? Preferably descented

Or if they know any vet that can perform the op as i haven,t been able to find one thats familiar with it.

Would really appreciate any help

scudzilla

Mod snip

star-pants

Scudzilla you're around long enough to know to just report the post. Silly pictures don't help, reported posts do.

Edit - upon receiving information on pet skunks, I'll leave this open for the moment.

ISDW

Apparently its now illegal to descent skunks in the UK, I would think it would be very hard to find a vet here that would know what to do.

I have seen photos of a pet skunk in a family with dogs, are they kept widely as pets?

rotti oRiley

Sorrry i can't give advice, May I ask why you would like a skunk, just curious. You don't have to answer.

Are they like badgers.

DBB

I met one in an animal sanctuary near me years ago (sanctuary remaining nameless!). This one was called Humbug and a sweet little thing, though I'd expect you'd need to know a lot about them, their natural history and lifestyles, so that you can fully understand their needs and how to supply said needs in captivity. They can't be considered a domesticated animal.

antocann

once you get a skunk that is used to interaction with people and animals , their would be no need to descent

scudzilla

star-pants wrote: »

Scudzilla you're around long enough to know to just report the post. Silly pictures don't help, reported posts do.

Edit - upon receiving information on pet skunks, I'll leave this open for the moment.

Well done

star-pants

scudzilla wrote: »

Well done

If you've an issue - report the post or PM me.

Run_to_da_hills

If you are ever in Vancouver BC you can pet and hold wild skunks in Stanley Park. The only time I could see a pet unrestricted skunk releasing its stinky would be if it got cornered by a vicious dog or got hit by a car.

Delancey

I met a pet skunk once ( descented ) - nice chap , though his claws looked seriously nasty.....

Happer

Hi everyone,

Thanks very much for the responses.

From what I've read online they make wonderful pets, playful and affectionate. I've more than enough room and time to accomodate one.

I'd read they can occassionally spray if they fall or get a shock which was why I was concerned, so I appreciate the comments about it not being essential - I'd always avoid unneccessary surgery to an animal.

I've found a pet shop in Antrim that sells them. I'll keep researching before I purchase one to find a Vet who has some experience dealing with skunks so I know he'll be well taken care of. I'll also be visiting the shop in the meantime to get more hands on experience with them.

Feel free to PM me if you would like the info on them I've gathered. Or if anyone knows a Vet that might be familiar with them itd be great

Thanks again

Jackasaurus rex

I played with one at a place in canada. lovely little creature. Needed to be handled loads when young so it wouldnt bite or scratch. Bit like having ferrets I suppose. I would be worried about them spraying out of fright though. Iv smelled one that let a burst of spray when a car hit it, it was fairly rotton

Sigma Force

You'd need a big area for a skunk and climby areas with a soft enough ground incase they have a fall just for safety. Secure enclosure, proper healthy diet. Possibly neutering/spaying and I think they need vaccinations but maybe someone more skunk savvy can answer that. Above all don't get one if you haven't got a vet near to you (24 hour vet) that has experience with skunks. I would avoid buying one from a pet shop most are unreliable at the best of times when it comes to the health and where their animals come from although there are exeptions.

Here's a link with some other basic stuff http://www.skunkhaven.net/DietNutrition.htm

It seems there are a lot of foods that are toxic or very unhealthy for skunks so you'd need to be very careful with their diet. I doubt there's a particular food you can buy that has everything a skunk needs so you need to have the time to prepare the animals meals and make sure they are balanced.

Maybe a bonded pair of skunks would be better unless you have the time to give lots of one on one attention.

They're very cute and sweet looking but really if you are serious about getting a skunk do loads and loads of research they require a lot of work and space.

REPTILEDAN88

Happer wrote: »

Hi everyone,

Thanks very much for the responses.

From what I've read online they make wonderful pets, playful and affectionate. I've more than enough room and time to accomodate one.

I'd read they can occassionally spray if they fall or get a shock which was why I was concerned, so I appreciate the comments about it not being essential - I'd always avoid unneccessary surgery to an animal.

I've found a pet shop in Antrim that sells them. I'll keep researching before I purchase one to find a Vet who has some experience dealing with skunks so I know he'll be well taken care of. I'll also be visiting the shop in the meantime to get more hands on experience with them.

Feel free to PM me if you would like the info on them I've gathered. Or if anyone knows a Vet that might be familiar with them itd be great

Thanks again

You have a pm .

Happer

Hey,

I have been doing a lot of research and have been on skunkhaven already but thanks for the link . I do have the time to dedicate to one so thats not an issue and i have the space.

Just finding a vet seems to be the biggest problem at the minute. I will be sorting that out before i buy one. I do understand that the vet bills may be costly.

I will be paying the petshop in Antrim a visit aswell over the weekend to have a look to see how healthy they are and see what conditions they are kept in etc.

Thanks for the pms and posts guys

Happer

Got it sorted. have one ordered from a breeder thanks guys

Aru

Bairbre O'malley is the main exotics vet in ireland.
She's located in Bray.However I am not sure if she would have experience with skunks!But shes your best bet for an exotic animal.There is also John Bainbridge who works out of Dundrum and stillorgan.He's the vet for dublin zoo so may have experience with skunks.
Both are highly respected for their exotics work.

Happer

thanks for the vet tips i have started bringing my other pets to Bairbre since shes a great vet. Still waiting for my skunk to be born so fingers crossed ill be taking them there too

tk123

Have you a named picked yet OP? Pepe le Pew for example or Stinky Pete?

Happer

well i was thinking on calling it scrat like the guy in ice age. just because the sort of remind me of him they way they run about lol