deskunking a skunk for a barn pet

3SistersFarm · #1 11/01/12, 07:49 PM

I'm just considering taking the stinker out of the skunk. I heard they are quite the mousers. The tom cat I had "Barnie" who I kept in the barn was a horrible mouser. It would also keep away uninvited guest/trespassers

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Would love to hear stories.
txs

TheMartianChick · #2 11/01/12, 07:54 PM

I hope that you don't have any chickens. I try to discourage skunks, though stray cats are always welcome. The best part about the cats is that they stay away from me and I don't have to feed them! Strays are great mousers!!

gone-a-milkin · #3 11/01/12, 08:13 PM

My parents had a pet skunk when I was little.
The story is that my dad was a radio DJ and he had mentioned on the air that he had always thought it would be a cool pet.
The next day someone drove a box of 3 to the station.

They were tiny and the mom had been roadkilled.

Only one survived and a 'rogue' vet (in Montana) spayed and descented her at a very young age.

That skunks name was Natasha and she used the litterbox and snuggled with the house cats.

She was tragically killed at 2 y/o by a rocking chair runner coming down on her spine.

Tinker · #4 11/01/12, 08:35 PM

We had a skunk in our barn that killed about a dozen chickens over a 4 night period, before we trapped it. Unfortunately, we didn't know it was a skunk killing them, se we did not put a rope on the cage. DH had to shoot in in the barn, and the stink lingered for many a months.

bonnie in indiana · #5 11/01/12, 08:36 PM

My significate other has a pet skunk. 7 years old, he raised him from a baby when his MAMA was road killed. The skunk is NOT DESCENTED. He has free run of the property [The man lives at the end of a 4+ mile dead end road]. Pepe sleeps with the dogs on the deck in a dog house and in the winter coldest in the utility room in the house. When he becomes tooooo skunky smelling at breeding time, my guy carries him to the bathtub in the house and gives him a bath. I say nothing---its working for him.

mary,tx · #6 11/01/12, 08:42 PM

I hope it has had rabies shots. But I kind of doubt a vet would've done it.

gone-a-milkin · #7 11/01/12, 08:51 PM

The question of descenting skunks is one that I ALWAYS ask any vet I ever meet and have time to speak with.

In most states it is illegal to keep skunks as pets, yes.

I have a lot of varying responses from vets on the topic.
A higher percentage of small animal only vets have told me, "oh, heck no! That's against the law!"

Several farm call vets have admitted to 'trying' descenting skunks.
They have all universally said that they would only do it outdoors, on the farm
and that I would have to assist, be sworn to secrecy about their effort,
AND it would cost me big time.

So, I suppose it is possible to find someone to do that deed.
Buddy up with your vet.

Personally, I dont really need any pet skunks at this time.

coonripper · #8 11/01/12, 08:52 PM

They like to dig, so if you have a dirt floor they would be long gone

fantasymaker · #9 11/01/12, 10:21 PM

If you befriend it and DO NOT descent or spay it its just the skunk that hangs out in the barn so its leagel!

gone-a-milkin · #10 11/01/12, 10:25 PM

Last time I checked it was pretty normal for there to be a pesky skunk hanging around
eating out of the petfood bowls and scaring your company.

I suppose even if you had it all fixed up medically, most people would NOT bother to check.

You could just say it was a wild animal that hung out all on its own.

ufo_chris · #11 11/01/12, 11:43 PM

Could it get back out of the barn? Because if it could that is like putting a declawed cat outside. That is their only defense.
I had a pet skunk years ago, legally , had permit from the game warden, it was descended by the lady I bought it from . She used to be a vet tech and learned it there.
She explained the procedure and it didn't sound that complicated really ,so it should not cost that much.
But I have also read a book about a lady that had some Skunks as pets that were not descended and she said she thought a couple of times one would spay when they got surprised , like accidentally scaring them ,but the only time one did was when it was under a blanket and a cat or dog jumped on it and it couldn't see who/what it was!

CesumPec · #12 11/02/12, 12:29 AM

When I was a kid, the Virginia state campground we visited at least once a month had a ranger whose family kept a litter of 8 or 10 descented skunk babies. They were friendly, playful, great pets. The ranger used them for talks on wildlife as the official reason for keeping them, but really, they were just family pets. But like any weasel, even descented, they still had a mild musky odor. I would not have wanted to keep them in the house.

I still like skunks and where the wife keeps her horse, they feed 3 wild skunks cat food every night. Feeding them by the barn is, IMO, inviting disaster, but they are fun to watch.

stockdogtta · #13 11/02/12, 04:15 AM

Back in 70's had one I raised from a baby, not descented....never sprayed us. One day a salesman knocked on door, he was sitting on the couch doing his spiel. After a while, Blacky woke up from sleeping under the couch, come strolling out from under, right between the salesman feet...that guys eyes got as big as silver dollars and didnt stay long after that....couldnt help to keep from chuckling....it was funny.

Allen W · #14 11/02/12, 07:52 AM

Freind said he had a pet skunk that went every where with him like a dog. Until he unloaded on some ladies yip yap in the middle of down town, The skunk wasn't welcome there after that.

rhaige9 · #15 11/02/12, 08:53 AM

According to This Website, it's illegal to own a skunk in IL. Even the domesticated ones. Domesticated skunks you say?!? Yeup. They even come in different colors than your standard black and white. See Here.

fantasymaker · #16 11/02/12, 04:41 PM

Yep thats why you dont "OWN" it simply befriend it!
I havea friend on the same road as the OP that Did that.

Ravenlost · #17 11/02/12, 05:24 PM

Get a couple female barn cats...spayed, of course. Female cats are generally better hunters than males.

nancy237 · #18 11/02/12, 09:09 PM

What I have heard from a vet is that it's impossible to vaccinate them from rabies..

I think they can be carriers which can infect without being sick, but I am not sure about that.

oldasrocks · #19 11/02/12, 09:36 PM

About 40 yrs ago I had a pet decented skunk. He lived under the legged bathtub in my apartment. The funniest thing he ever did is crawl out to see who was sitting on the john. It was a lady friend of mine who did not know I had a pet skunk. She came running out of the bathroom, pants down "spraying" all over herself. Needless to say she was my friend no longer. 2hd funniest thing was crawling on my cousins lap when he was sitting on it with a GF.

Wolf mom · #20 11/03/12, 09:58 AM

I always wanted a pet skunk as they're suppose to make great pets: playful, smart, beautiful. The neighborhood pet store had a chocolate one for sale that I used to visit & play with years ago.

Too bad they're outlawed today.

More gov't chip, chip, chippin' away.