PET TALES

I couldn't believe my good fortune the other day.

Here I was reading the classifieds in a local newspaper when lo and behold an ad grabbed my attention.

Skunk for Sale.

Now my fellow pet lovers, I must convey that I always wanted a pet skunk to have and to hold. My friend Aubrey helped fuel my imagination with delusions of skunks after she told me how she had one that used to snuggle up with her.

For years this sort of skunky fervor kindled.

I even used to beg the former management of a local Lehigh publication I once worked to get one as a mascot.

That didn't go over so well.

So this ad wasn't just an ad. It represented my big chance to realize my dream of caring for my very own skunk.

My mind began to whirl with scenarios of pet skunk ownership. I imagined coming home with a Pepe LePew look-a-like greeting me at the door with a Coke - caffeine free of course - and my slippers.

Dreams of walking my striped furry friend streamed through my thoughts as did bringing him to work on pet day - most places of businesses do offer that perk, right?

Anyway the ad said the little guy or gal was selling for $300.

Before my exuberance got the best of me I decided to do my homework and check around town about pet skunks.

First I called the Pet Kingdom in Fort Myers. I spoke with a nice young lady who informed me that skunks need the same kind of care that ferrets get. She also told me I would need to get a license to own one.

Now as you can imagine my chances of getting a skunk are a little iffy because of my varmint chasing Scottie, Argyle. I am not exactly sure how Argyle, who stalks spiders and geckos, would feel about a black and white critter darting through the house.

I will get back to you on my decision.

In the meantime if any of you have any exotic pets I would love to hear about your experiences. And for anyone interested in getting a pet skunk or other exotic animal here's some useful information from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:

Wildlife considered to need a license includes but is not limited to, small monkeys, raccoons, opossums, skunks, lemurs, and Wallabies.

It is unlawful to buy, sell, or transfer wildlife to or from any non-permitted entity in Florida. Therefore, all permits must be approved and issued before getting an exotic pet.

To become eligible to keep Class III wildlife for personal use a person must:

Be 16 years of age or older.

Satisfactorily complete a questionnaire that assesses the applicant's knowledge of general husbandry, nutritional and behavioral characteristics of the animal for which the permit is requested.

Be able to provide satisfactory caging facilities as required in the Standard Caging Requirements.

Applicants for permits to possess capuchin, spider or woolly monkeys for personal use must demonstrate no less than one year of substantial practical experience in the care, feeding, handling, and husbandry of primates.

Wildlife kept for personal use must be kept under sanitary conditions and fed a nutritious diet. This includes: providing clean drinking water daily, providing food of a type and quantity that meets the nutritional requirements for the species, daily removal of fecal and food wastes, and cleaning of the cage.

All wildlife maintained in a cage or other enclosure must meet or exceed the dimensions outlined for that species. ¦

Contact Ella

>>Readers are welcome to share their stories, information and needs with Ella Nayor at enayor@ florida-weekly.com. Pet Tales is designed to provide entertainment, support and education to our pet lovers.