Is it legal to keep a skunk as a pet?
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
United States
February 18, 2016 6:57am CST
Right now, as of this moment, in Tennessee I can honestly say it is not legal to own a pet skunk. Do you feel a 'but' coming? But....
There is a proposed law that would make it legal to own a pet skunk - P.U.
A Republican Senator, evidently a skunk lover, has proposed the bill because the says they make great pets. Skunks would have to be 'fixed'...in more ways than one. Not only would skunks be neutered but the scent glands would have to be removed.
Come on Tennessee, don't we have bigger and less stinky things to deal with in this state?
Photo: pixabay.com/en/skunk-stripes-animal-fur-wildlife-46170/
14 people like this
15 responses
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
18 Feb 16
You won't find one in my house - there are lots of the road.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
19 Feb 16
Why would anyone want to own a skunk?
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
19 Feb 16
Why do people do anything weird? Good question.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
19 Feb 16
@garymarsh6 Oh gross...If it was on my lap it would be in a cage LOL!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
19 Feb 16
@AbbyGreenhill it is a very unusual choice I must admit! I can picture you with one sitting on your lap like your profile photo. OH boy you would have to wear a peg on your nose,
@Blondie2222 (28611)
• United States
22 Feb 16
I would never want to own a skunk anyway they stink lol. But i would think you could probably get it fixed so it doesn't spray if you did own it as a pet but then again I am not sure.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
22 Feb 16
It says the scent glands have to be removed to keep as a pet.
@infatuatedbby (94914)
• United States
18 Feb 16
Never thought one would want to own a skunk. 
I am sure there is that one person out there that is unique and with one.
I am sure there is that one person out there that is unique and with one.1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
18 Feb 16
I know I don't, nor any other wild animal - my husband is enough!
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
19 Feb 16
I heard descented they make good pets, not sure about that though lol
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
19 Feb 16
I think wildlife should be wildlife.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
19 Feb 16
@AbbyGreenhill well technically dogs were once wildlife as were cats, at but at the same time I do agree that you have a point.
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
18 Feb 16
How strange, and why would you want a skunk for a pet
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
18 Feb 16
Because people like to be 'different' I guess.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
19 Feb 16
@AbbyGreenhill Crazyness if you ask me
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Feb 16
Now you have got my attention. As far as I am aware no such law exists in England, which means that I could own a skunk legally without having it mutilated in any way.
It would certainly make a very effective guard dog and keep any potential burglars away.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
19 Feb 16
Well, I've certainly never thought of having a pet skunk and really don't know if it's legal here or not. Of course they are living creatures and if 'fixed' in both ways would probably make good pets. I'm sure you can fall in love with any creature if it's friendly. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
19 Feb 16
I think I'll stick with a dog - she's already stink-free.
@LeaPea2417 (37381)
• Toccoa, Georgia
18 Feb 16
Honestly, until just reading your post, I have never ever considered that a skunk should be a pet. Seriously, some people are strange that they would want a pet like a skunk. They are just like those who want exotic pets like alligators, tigers and snakes. They are crazy people if you ask me.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
18 Feb 16
I agree!! I don't know if it legal to own an alligator or a tiger - snakes yes but I don't want any of them - Ruby the dog is quite enough.
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
18 Feb 16
I'm not sure why anyone would want to keep a skunk as a pet, I am sure not many people will take up this new found liberty to own one.... but to start fixing the 'bits' that people do not like is a bit much ... and not fair to the animal.....
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
18 Feb 16
It is far from a law yet. If an animal is to be a pet people have to be protected therefore the stink parts have to be gone. then the animal can never be a wild animal again when people get tired of the as pets.
@Marilynda1225 (83103)
• United States
20 Feb 16
My questions is why??? would anyone want to have a pet skunk
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
21 Feb 16
To be different? I don't have a clue - a dog is the most I'll go for!
1 person likes this
@akalinus (43366)
• United States
18 Feb 16
I don't know the answer but I have a skunk story.
A friend of mine found five baby skunks. The mother had been killed by a car. She took the babies home and took care of them and kept them as pets. The vet removed their scent glands and gave them shots.
One day, the skunks were outside in the back yard. A cop in the area saw them and shot every one of them.
@akalinus (43366)
• United States
19 Feb 16
@AbbyGreenhill My friend did not know for sure. The cop said they were wild animals. They were not doing anything, just walking in the yard. They were tame and descented, had rabies shots and neutered. It was not necessary to shoot them.
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
18 Feb 16
It's just one silly Senator - bet he won't win re-election next time up.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
18 Feb 16
Ah, our elected officials at work! There is so much unemployment but darn it, that skunk situation needs to be resolved pronto!
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
18 Feb 16
Tennessee always is the brunt of one joke or another - now we know why
