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Senior Voice of Citrus County - APRIL 2020 • 3
SKUNKS its operational funds from
continued from page 2 donations from weekend
festivals.
“Skunks in the wild are
solitary; domesticated Contrary to conventional
skunks like to socialize. wisdom, all skunks don’t
They have such look like “Pepe LePew,”
personalities, they are really with black fur and white
fun to watch,” she added. stripe down the middle.
“They don’t play with toys, Some skunks are shades
but if they find a paper bag of brown and beige. At
on the floor, they’ll roll the festival, Della shows
around with that. They’re an albino skunk to a pair
very lovable, very social of young boys, under
animals.” the canopy to protect the
animal’s eyes.
Through her research,
Brenda found Florida Skunk “When I was a teenager, I
Rescue. They didn’t have babysat a family who had a
any rescue pets but found pet skunk. From then on, I
her a skunk at a pet store. wanted one,” the 60-year-
Six months later, Brenda old Hernando resident said.
and her husband went to the Fifteen years ago, she got
organization’s annual Easter her first pet skunk as a
Egg Hunt (kids, not skunks, birthday gift.
hunt the eggs) and decided to “Now I have five. I couldn’t
adopt a second animal. live without them. They
Florida Skunk Rescue have given me a lot of joy Pam Raines’ pet skunk likes to ride with her on her Harley.
needed someone in the area in my life and helped me (Photo by Pam Raines)
to do pickups – traveling through some rough times,”
to homes to collect skunks Della said. “Some of the
owners could no longer care movements they do, the
for. Brenda stepped in and antics they get into – they are
began fostering skunks until such fun to watch. They’re
they were ready for new easy to care for and don’t eat
homes. When the founder much. They’re just beautiful
decided to retire in 2015, animals to have.”
she took on the director role. Della started volunteering
She began outreach and for Florida Skunk Rescue
education, and the number of a few years ago when one
rescues started to climb. of her pets got injured.
“We get them in, get them She reached out to the
medical attention, spayed organization for advice.
or neutered if necessary, Brenda invited her to a
foster them until they are skunk show and Della has
acclimated, and adopt been involved ever since.
them out. We only charge Florida Skunk Rescue
whatever it costs us. We volunteers will travel
don’t make money from throughout the state, and Skunks come in many different shades. Della Etters
these pets,” said Brenda, introduces Florida Skunk Rescue’s albino skunk to interested
adding that the group gets Continued on page 4 children. (Photo by Megan Carella)
