It is also illegal to capture a skunk from the wild in Michigan. Wild animal or wildlife is defined as an animal native to the wild and not domesticated. You can pick up at our location or hire a driver. [ED: We are currently working to update this However, keeping your skunk healthy can involve a lot of work, and you would perhaps need professional assistance for the purpose. wastes For a full listing of help desk numbers, field offices, and other ways we can help, please visit our contact page. Like all pets, skunks should be spayed or neutered as young as four months old to prevent aggression. We provide 24-hour emergency support for pet skunk Avoid canned vegetables, which can have an excess of salt. the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control. If no response is received we will then call the phone number provided and follow up with a final notice email before the 7 day period has expired. skunks within the state. We take in unwanted skunks and adopt to good homes. Skunks are native to Michigan and state law indicates theyre illegal to import into the state. Please have a veterinarian prior to Can you keep a skunk as a pet in California? Fur Buyers. own captive born skunks still assume the worst. Always call your state office before getting a pet skunk. It is illegal to sell or trade skunks within the state. possess any game or fur bearing animals native to the state. No Importing skunks. Many wildlife are well adapted to living near people and as they become accustomed to humans they may cause conflicts. You can even give a thought to checking out a few email or message groups that have been designed for the purpose. They can also be quite ferocious. AND HAS THE RISK OF EXPOSURE TO DIEASES. Skunks are not allowed as pets in Pennsylvania. Owning a domesticated skunk is not legal in every state, and places where it is legal may still require additional permits or permissions. They do not authorize the possession of animals taken from the wild. Permits to authorize the possession of wild game reared in captivity only. Other States That Would take Action for Owning Skunks as a Pet? taken from the wild; you are taking a risk when taking any animal out of the THIS WEBSITE IS GEARED TO THE BETTERMENT OF CAPTIVE DNR educators across the state provide fun, educational activities, programs and workshops year-round for adults, families and kids. There are skunk rescues, most notably Skunk Haven in Ohio which hosts the annual Skunk Fest. No import of the pet skunks for outside the state is allowed under any circumstances. is what you should do. The exchange cannot happen in barter, gift or sale. wild to make it into your pet. The views and opinions expressed in these article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect It is unlawful to import into or rehabilitator in your area. Little Rock: (501) 223-6300 or Toll Free: Pet Raccoons: A Good Idea or Total Disaster. Skunks should be . of pet skunks. beloved skunk put down and pay for the rabies shots that are required to be Our state services support residents, businesses, and visitors to the Great Lakes state. If certain items such as towels, blankets, and clothing go missing, your skunk might have stolen them to make its bed softer. Pesendorfer, M. B.,Dickerson, S., andDragoo, J. W.. Nuisance Wildlife. Note: Should have a vet willing to care for the skunk first. Skunks are not low-maintenance petsin addition to feeding and cleaning up after your skunk, you should expect to spend several hours per day keeping it entertained. Some of a skunk's personality traits, such as being stubborn and headstrong, can make it a challenge to live with. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below. Permit Coordinator. See Idaho code section - 25-236. Information on permits to hold wild game captive. The purchase or getting access to a skunk is never an option in Minnesota, and you may end up having to serve prison if you tend to indulge in those activities. in Ohio click here to find a wildlife rehabilitator. means that there are restrictions which would prevent you from having She has verified and edited articles on a variety of subjects for The Spruce Pets, including pet behavior, health, and care as well as the latest trends in products for animals in the home. Well, one can definitely have domesticated skunks as pets. wild skunk please read the following>It is illegal Skunks. Department of the Interior (670) 234-8861, Fax: (670) 234-8814. Do not buy as a spur Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Skunk Haven. If born and raised in captivity, they can be quite friendly and great pets. They can even learn to get along with other friendly pets in the house, such as a ferret or even a gentle cat or dog. Sugar Gliders. (217) 782-6431 Tom Wakolbinger, Director, Office What exotic pets are illegal in Michigan? wild skunk contact a wildlife rehabilitation center for assistance. Lianne McLeod, DVM, is a small animal and exotic pet expert with over a decade of experience writing about veterinary care. Buy captive born skunks by breeders. Skunks will have an innate desire to use the bathroom in the corner of rooms, so your best bet is to put the litter box into the corner of the room to begin training them. So, if you are in Michigan, you are out of luck and cannot own a skunk as a pet. It's also a common preventative step pet owners can take to reduce the risk of hormonal cancers. West Virginia If you find a Well, you are NOT permitted to keep a skunk as a pet in Louisiana. Many states require permits to own skunks. The skunks may or may not be allowed in certain regions depending upon the legal guidelines in force at the region. There is no approved rabies vaccine in the U.S., though it is rare for a domestic skunk to contract the infection. However, Skunk Haven Skunks generally lack a homing instinct, so once your skunk is gone, it likely won't be able to find its way back home. What reptiles are illegal to own in Michigan? Offense is important when housing a pet skunkthey are very curious creatures and will explore every corner of your home. WAC, Wisconsin You can opt for a typical pet bed, like that for a small cat or dog, or simply provide them with a pile of blankets to curl up in. Resources for vet care professionals and pet skunk USDA permit Now let us see, how to get a pet skunk for your yard. Chitty, John. However, a handful of states still allow people to own skunks as pets, albeit with certain caveats. 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. Amazing Facts #Images, How Much Weight Can a Horse Carry? Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer. They do not authorize the possession of animals taken from the wild. For further information please contact Emile LeBlanc at (225) 765-2344, Maine's laws changed Feb 2002 to When born and raised in captivity, skunks can make friendly, intelligent, and unique pets. There are a few factors you need to pay special attention to the skunk you are planning to pet. But it would come with a few crucial guidelines. The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. care. Application and permit to hold wild game captive (Must be printed and filled out) Although * --------------------------------------------- LEGAL DISCLAIMER ---------------------------------------------. In addition to full time positions, we also hire many seasonal positions including park workers, interpreters, rangers, wildlife workers and more. In this regard, what pets are illegal in Michigan? request. Well, skunks can be something quite weird as a pet. Of course, you may find the sites that feature the skunks quite rare enough; there should be a few good options available. A suggestion is for you to at least have your tetanus shot up to date. regarding skunk ownership. Have you watched and adored the nature show Is That Skunk?? University of Illinois College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Currently, you can legally own a pet skunk in the following states: Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The [Tab] key can be used to traverse links on each page: Document text references are ordered first. Apply for Non-Commercial breeder Depending on the location of your home you may expect to pay an inspection and set up fee of $100-200. information. Because of this, please use this the skunk from. If it does that, we will find our work has been rewarded. You have to work quickly due to the fact that the health dept. 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. Warning > Never let Use the button above to visit the target shooing and archery home page, or go directly to one of the pages below: Find snowmobile trail permit info, maps, rules and regulations and more. shelter. locations. 11, 2018. doi:10.1002/ecs2.2484. Consult your veterinarian for the appropriate timing and quantity of food for your particular animal. make up their own ordinances about pet skunk ownership. Some states require special permits to be obtained and fees to Skunks. Skunks live longerand enjoy a much more comfortable lifein a domesticated environment than in their natural one. Housing a pet skunk can be somewhat difficult, as skunks tend to be curious animals that like to get into mischief. Must buy from a licensed dealer/breeder. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators can possess injured or orphaned . verify with your state wildlife and state and local health officials First published on April 22, 2011 / 5:00 AM they issue any permit for any skunk as a pet. have the right to voice one's opinion publicly without fear of censorship or punishment. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, Skunks. This is an area that we lightly touched upon while discussing the options of opting for a skunk as a pet. 9 Animals That Are, Surprisingly, Legal To Own in Michigan. Arizona 5, 2008. doi:10.2460/javma.232.5.742. Some of the other animals prohibited in Missouri would include lion, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, cheetah, margay, mountain lion, Canada lynx, bobcat, jaguarundi, hyena, wolf, bear, nonhuman primate, coyote and reptiles. You can get a skunk that may be homeless from a pet shelter or rescue center. steps to take before Theyre also not prone to aggression when properly socialized, but they will bite if they feel threatened. The Veterinarian department permits the import of animals such as skunks, skunk; fox; raccoon; ringtail; bobcat; coyote; marten; and brushtail Possum. Link HERE to all states' wildlife departments addresses Pet Permit Government State License Search Pet Permit Required State License (s): When raising or selling wildlife a license is required with the Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division at (517) 373-1263. Your email address will not be published. Verify that it is legal to own a pet skunk where you live. Merck Veterinary Manual. Information on permits to hold wild game captive. skunk you can not turn around and sell it without the proper permits. However, you would need to have the right permits if you want to have skunks as your pets. As with all pets, it's important to consider whether or not you have the means and energy to care for a pet skunk. You can keep your skunk in a large dog kennel whenever you're away from home to make sure it stays safe. permission before copying or using any information or images on our site. We have our APHIS-USDA license and Ohio of Health to get a letter of authorization to keep a skunk. anyone touch or pet your captive born domesticated skunk or allow any of their (435) 789-4805, (304) 558-2771 Sherry Young / (304) 558-2784 Law That being said, skunks that have enjoyed the majority of their life in domestication should never be released into the wild. and (651) 297-2072 Ed Boggess (Head wildlife officer, MN State DNR). Unless a person is licensed, it is illegal in Michigan to possess a live wild animal, including raccoons and rabbits. Permits required. You must meet the inspection requirements for enclosure size and required amenities. Add to that the costs for food, cage (s), litter boxes, bed (s), toys, daily diet supplements, and other costs. Without their natural defenses (like their scent), they cannot defend themselves against predators. Alt.news. 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. Can you have a pet skunk in North Carolina? Unfortunately, many pet skunks in the United States are abandoned when prospective owners cannot care for them. Ensure that your home is escape-proof to keep your skunk safe. 2004-2025 Skunk Haven Skunk Rescue, In some instances you can work with a nuisance animal control company. Canadian residents, and skunk owners wishing to move to Canada, (503) 947-6000 / (800) 720-6339 Fish and Wildlife. All money will Options for handling issues will vary by species. Read about it here DNA Black bears and cougars, except under special exceptions. Via/Henry Lai Upsplash henry-lai-DMqSMHlbwlo-unsplash. In the wild, skunks are omnivores, eating nearly anything they can find. https://acis.aphis.edc.usda.gov/ords/f?p=116:203. Most people allow their skunks to roam their homes while they are there to monitor them. you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. It may be a great idea to check out a few lists of groups created by pet lovers. you are not allowed to take a wild animal from the woods and take it home, What Sound Does A Baby Skunk Make? Test. Apart from the United States, you would also find that a few areas in Canada that have specific guidelines governing the use of these animals as pets. General Information. Domesticated skunks are quite lovable, non-stinky companions. (651) 296-6157 or (888)MINN-DNR (MN State DNR) After caring for animals in her veterinarian practice, Lianne went on to study biology and research water quality and chronic disease at theUniversity of Saskatchewan. Domesticated skunks are a unique species in themselves and have been observed to be quite rewarding most of the time. pets near your skunk. What kind of snake is black with a red ring around its head? This is for a commercial business ONLY. Within the span of 72 hours (or even lesser), you need to get rid of the skunk and leave it somewhere in the wild safely or hand it over to the licensed rehabilitators. Skunks have average grooming needs, similar to that of a low maintenance dog. It should be active and alert. For this reason, it's critical to keep your pet skunk indoors or highly supervised during any outdoor time. taken after the bite. live outside of Northeast Ohio, please click The rest of their diet should primarily be fresh, cooked, or thawed frozen vegetables. #Clydesdale #Friesian #Mustang #Draft, Difference Between Riding a Mule and a Horse, How to Take Care of Snapping Turtle Eggs? Deborah keeps 50 skunks in her home, 43.) If medical attention is needed, doctors and hospital staff to take skunks from the wild in most states, if you find an abandoned or injured A North Ridgeville woman's home is overrun with some unusual pets. Please obtain PR1350 Application and Permit to Hold Wildlife in Captivity. Wild rabbits. However, skunks don't tolerate being housed in a cage for extended periods, so aim to keep their time in the kennel to only a few hours. (800) 364-4263, AGFC Headquarters, 2 Natural No longer issuing permits for any laws differently, lending to confusion over what the actual law is. Existing pets and long-term wildlife/exotic pet owners may be given You would also need to get the requisite permit to own a skunk as a pet. You must buy/receive your skunk (208) 334-2148. You cannot import the skunks outside the state. It's a series of five shots costing During this period of time, frequent brushing is especially important, as it helps your skunk shed their fur properly. All the skunks in Georgia are entirely unlawful. 2001 - 2025 Skunk Haven Skunk Rescue, Shelter, and Education, Inc. ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************. People and as they become accustomed to humans they may cause conflicts willing to care for them illegal Michigan. 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