Last week I received a
phone call from a desperate sounding RSPCA Inspector, who had in the back of
his van...a skunk!! ‘Would we house it
temporarily?’ was his request to me one evening ‘...because nobody else will
take it in or even come near me...!’, ‘Oh really!’ I replied, ‘I can’t think
why!!’
Wild skunks are not
native to this country, so we knew it must belong to somebody, and that what we
were actually dealing with was a captive escapee. This was some ones pet.
I was on duty with our
vet nurse Sarah, who on agreeing to take in the skunk, hastily got on the
internet to find out what we were to feed this unusual visitor. I set up a
cubicle in the isolation unit with a cosy box, whilst Sarah went around
gathering fruit and meal worms from our food store.
I have to admit, I was
somewhat apprehensive about the skunk arriving and was concerned that if it became
stressed, nervous, or felt threatened, then the inevitable may happen!! Have heard that the only thing able to remove
the foul smell of skunk spray is tomatoes, and all we had in our staff room was
one tiny sachet of ketchup!
Due to the skunks’
late arrival, my shift had actually finished and I had left the hospital. I was
a tiny bit relieved! Charlie, who works in our education department was on hand
however to help and took some photos....
The owner (who lived
two hours away) arrived the next day to collect her pet skunk. She informed us that
the skunk was a female called Stompy, who had never sprayed whilst in her care(!)
This passing guest was the first skunk, I am told, to have ever been at our
hospital. Despite my initial reluctance about Stompy’s visit, I did give her a
stroke and a fuss when she was collected, she was actually very sweet!
Who knows what will
pass through our doors next?!
By Lynsey Cale
Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery
'Support RSPCA Stapeley Grange now by giving just £3, simply text RSPCA2 to 70007‘
Texts cost £3 + standard network rate
.JPG)
