Sorry, what’s in the back of your van...?!

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

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