live trap+ skunk + labor

[skyjoshin]

I completely agree and respect this decision. Complete truth and honesty. You did the right thing.

Thank you. We feel good about it. I see no reason why we can't coexist. We just need to take resAfter she'd moved her kittens or kits (I just looked that up, lol) we moved the trap, leveled the ground and reset the trap. I found another kit underneath, in the dirt. It had also died. Though it's a far cry better day for them than if we'd killed them all.

 

[bobbi-j]

We'd have shot them. Around here, skunks are the most common vector for rabies. For that reason alone they are shot on sight. They also like anything chicken - feed, eggs or meat. I hope you released them back onto your land. So many people take them "out in the country" to release animals. Well, I live in the country. I would rather people don't take their now trap-wise nuisance animals and drop them off where I have to deal with them. I think they should be taken to the city where dog and cat food are left out at night for whoever comes along, and dumpsters are like buffets for them. They'd be in paradise!

 

[llombardo]

Thank you. We feel good about it. I see no reason why we can't coexist. We just need to take resAfter she'd moved her kittens (I just looked that up, lol) we moved the trap, leveled the ground and reset the trap. I found another kitten underneath, in the dirt. It had also died.

We have tons of wildlife here. Skunks play in the front yard, raccoons in the trees(2 babies a couple weeks ago), coyotes, fox,opossums. I can respect their space and will always try to work around them first.

 

[skyjoshin]

We'd have shot them. Around here, skunks are the most common vector for rabies. For that reason alone they are shot on sight. They also like anything chicken - feed, eggs or meat. I hope you released them back onto your land. So many people take them "out in the country" to release animals. Well, I live in the country. I would rather people don't take their now trap-wise nuisance animals and drop them off where I have to deal with them. I think they should be taken to the city where dog and cat food are left out at night for whoever comes along, and dumpsters are like buffets for them. They'd be in paradise!

Ya, it was on our land. I just opened the trap where it was. I had stumbled across her den a few days ago. So I know where they are. As for rabies, I guess I wasn't thinking about that. Though I haven't heard much of rabies around here, ever. As for them wanting my chickens, eggs and feed, I think it's best to just take responsibility for securing everything. There are plenty of other predators around anyway. I may regret it someday, but for today I feel pretty good about it.

 

[Tesumph]

I’m glad you found a solution that works for you. Topics like this are gonna have two sides of the extremes posting, just FYI. I’m learning to not take it personally lol. I’m honestly not sure what I would have done, I’m thankful I’ve never found a den of any babies. We dispatch of adults quickly with a gun. Good on you for following your gut, I truly hope it doesn’t backfire in the future.

 

[skyjoshin]

I’m glad you found a solution that works for you. Topics like this are gonna have two sides of the extremes posting, just FYI. I’m learning to not take it personally lol. I’m honestly not sure what I would have done, I’m thankful I’ve never found a den of any babies. We dispatch of adults quickly with a gun. Good on you for following your gut, I truly hope it doesn’t backfire in the future.

Thanks. I think it'll be ok.

 

[bobbi-j]

We all have to do what we feel is best for our situation. A good friend of mine, her husband and young kids all had to go through the rabies vaccine after a skunk killed a nest of kittens and fought with the mama cat. A few days after the kittens were killed their daughter saw a skunk walking in circles in their yard. It was killed, tested positive for rabies. They had to put down their dog and every cat on the farm - including their new pet house kitten that had gone outside and nursed off the mama cat. House kitten was also tested and was positive. We won’t take chances.

 

[Zinjifrah]

Rabies vaccinations for your animals are important to get. The disease is still out there, and any number of animals could have it. I think you did the right thing. Wild animals are what they are - they don't consider that it's your pet, they just know that they are hungry. It's like blaming a cat for hunting mice; it's the same situation. A predator or scavenger will hunt or scavenge. I do, however, recommend getting a small caliber pistol or rifle, learning how to use it - a firearm safety or hunter's ed (not just for hunters!) class is an absolute must! Also, put in practice at a range so that you are comfortable with it. That way you are prepared, just in case you ever do need it. A firearm can be used as a weapon, but ultimately it's a tool. That skunk was just a pregnant female searching for food for herself and her kits. However, it COULD have been something worse, such as a diseased animal, and being prepared to deal with 'worse' is the best defense you can have.

 

[Tesumph]

We all have to do what we feel is best for our situation. A good friend of mine, her husband and young kids all had to go through the rabies vaccine after a skunk killed a nest of kittens and fought with the mama cat. A few days after the kittens were killed their daughter saw a skunk walking in circles in their yard. It was killed, tested positive for rabies. They had to put down their dog and every cat on the farm - including their new pet house kitten that had gone outside and nursed off the mama cat. House kitten was also tested and was positive. We won’t take chances.

Gosh that’s horrible. I can’t imagine how much that would suck. I almost had to go through the rabies vaccine too, I’ve heard it hurts quite a bit and I’m glad I didn’t. I highly recommend everyone research the disease for themselves to know what to look out for and warning signs in wild animals. Unfortunately in my situation it wasn’t wild.. someone brought a soaking wet pillowcase into the vet clinic I worked at. Said a cat was sitting in the middle of the road in the pouring rain, acting drunk and lashed out when tried to help. I knew from the guttural noises it was making in the bag immediately what was wrong and fortunately knew better to get my vet and manager and back away quickly lol.

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

I think we did the right thing.

It's always the right thing when you can sleep at night.