How to Buy a Skunk

Skunks make great pets. They're cute, cuddly and love to play. However, owning a skunk isn't for everyone. Before running out and purchasing one, you need to do a few things first. The following steps will show you what to do before you buy a skunk.

Things You'll Need

• State office phone number
• Local veterinarian
• Breeder
• Supplies
• Food
• Receipt

Instructions

1. Call your state's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources office or your state's Fish and Game Commission to make sure it is okay to own a skunk in your area. Some states have made it illegal to have skunks as pets and laws are always changing, so call even if you think it's okay.

2. Call local veterinarians to see if you can find one that is willing to treat your skunk should it become ill and to give it vaccinations. Do this before purchasing a skunk.

3. Do some research and locate a breeder either locally through the paper or online. Check out the local animal rescue to see if there are any homeless skunks you can adopt.

4. Visit the breeder once you've located one to make sure the conditions his animals are in are acceptable and that the animals look clean (eyes, nose, coat and the rear) and healthy. Ask if there have been any outbreaks of disease at the facility. Also ask to see the breeder's license and any inspection reports.

5. Purchase all the supplies you will need for your pet skunk and prepare to get your pet vaccinated and neutered. Make sure you have the food they need for their diet including fresh and frozen vegetables and dog food. See the link provided in "Sources" for foods a skunk can eat.

6. Buy your skunk. Keep your receipt so if asked by the state, you can provide it to insure you didn't take the skunk from the wild.

Tips & Warnings

• You can't find a baby skunk (or a kit as they are called) to buy just any time of the year. Skunks breed seasonally giving birth around May and are adoptable around June or July.

• If there are no skunk breeders in your area, you may find one online that will ship a kit to you, though this is very stressful on the animal and not the best option.

• If you have a pet skunk in a state where owning a skunk is illegal, your pet could be euthanized.

• Never feed your skunk cat food because it has too much protein and fat for them to handle and will actually shorten their life span.

• If you have other pets or if you have young children, you may have to keep them separate from your skunk. Skunks are temperamental and will bite if any aggression is shown toward them.

Resources

• Owners Of Pet Skunks (O.O.P.S) site
• Information about pet skunks
• Diet information for skunks