Posted by SkunkLuv on April 07, 2003 at 05:49:44:
In Reply to: American Domestic Skunk Association-tell me more posted by Brian-SFCRC on April 06, 2003 at 21:05:10:
Presenting...
THE AMERICAN DOMESTIC SKUNK ASSOCIATION, INC.
www.skunks.org
The American Domestic Skunk Association, Inc. is an international 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded and run on love of the domestic skunk. Our primary purpose is education and our philosophy is "To educate is to protect." Our activities are aimed at safeguarding the lives of pen-raised skunks who have been captive bred for generations at licensed breeding facilities. While we do not advocate the capture of wild skunks as pets, we will readily provide assistance to wildlife rehabilitators and individuals who have come to the aid of an orphaned wild skunk. We currently have members in 38 states and 5 countries, plus a network of exotic specialists that includes zoologists, veterinarians, and animal rehabilitators. We provide the following services to all skunk owners, prospective owners, and interested parties:
Þ Education: We will work with any individual, group, pet retailer, veterinarian, school, library, and the news media to educate the general public about raising a domestic skunk. Guest speakers are available with educational presentations tailored to all age groups. The programs include material on domestic and wild skunks and feature our personal pet skunks as the stars of the show. Our volunteers appear at pet expos and community events and can organize a booth containing literature, display materials, and live animals. We have individuals available to write feature articles for newspapers, magazines, web sites, and other publications.
Þ Training for New Owners: We educate and work with new skunk owners to assist them in raising a happy, healthy, and loving house pet. We help potential owners determine if a domestic skunk is a pet that fits into their lifestyle.
Þ 24-Hour Phone Support: Any owner who has a skunk with a medical problem, regardless of whether or not they are a member of our association, can call us at any time of the day or night, and we will stay on the phone for as long as necessary to help you save your pet’s life. We are also available to answer any questions you may have about raising and caring for your skunk. We will provide veterinary referrals whenever possible.
Þ Internet Support: You may visit ADSA on line at www.skunks.org. Need to send us an email? Address it to LilStinkers@skunks.org. You can receive daily on-line support by joining our Skunkchat mailing list which is sponsored by ADSA and hosted by Yahoo Groups. At Skunkchat you can meet skunk owners from around the world and join in a friendly exchange of information and stories. Skunkchat has enjoyed enormous popularity and is currently the largest skunk mailing list on the World Wide Web. To subscribe, point your web browser to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skunkchat/join. Additional information about this service is available on our web site.
Þ Skunk Kitten Adoptions: We educate prospective owners and arrange adoptions of baby skunks when they are ready to go into homes each year in early summer. We can facilitate an adoption from our Association or a purchase through a reputable breeder or pet retailer. Our representatives can assist pet retailers in the education of prospective skunk owners and provide literature for distribution containing information about proper care and diet.
Þ Rescue, Rehabilitation & Adoption: Our rescue and rehabilitation program is designed for pen-raised skunks who have been rendered homeless or who have special needs. While we may be able to give advice about wild skunks or refer you to a wildlife rehabilitator, our program is limited to captive-bred skunks only.
We understand that situations occur in life when people, for whatever reasons, find that they can no longer keep their pet. We urge you to release your skunk to our Association so that we can give him an optimal start at a new life. Our experienced volunteers will attend to his medical needs, monitor his behavior and habits, and when we are sure he is ready, we will place him for adoption with a suitable family. We maintain an adoption list of interested families who have undergone a thorough educational screening process, and your skunk will be placed with the family who most closely matches his personality and needs. If you do not live close to one of our local chapters, we will do our best to assist you in transporting your skunk to us.
We welcome all inquiries from individuals interested in adopting previously owned skunks. We will provide you with all available information about your prospective new pet, train you to properly care him, and work with you as needed to ensure a successful adoption. We ask that you donate a nominal adoption fee which is fully refundable if you are not happy with your new pet, provided that you return the skunk to ADSA within thirty (30) days from the date of adoption.
Þ Foster Care: We welcome inquiries from all individuals who have the time and patience to provide love, care, and temporary housing for homeless pet skunks.
Þ Shows & Events: Our National Skunk Shows are fun-oriented events in which skunks from across the country come together to compete in various categories such as Color, Prettiest Tail, Friendliness, and Unusual Markings. They are widely popular events and are a wonderful opportunity to meet other skunk owners, see the many varieties of skunk colors and markings, and obtain unique skunk gifts and collectibles. Our local chapters also periodically host activities where members can socialize and participate in skunk-related fun.
Þ Book & Newsletters: Our newsletters contain entertaining stories about skunks, news about ADSA activities, and information valuable to all skunk owners including the latest information about care, diet, and health. You can obtain our care book, “A Comprehensive Guide to Raising a Pet Skunk,” for a nominal fee. It is an invaluable handbook to guide you through the many quality years you will spend with your skunk.
Þ Research: We conduct an ongoing research program to enhance our knowledge of the domestic skunk in areas such as diet and nutrition, conventional and holistic veterinary care, training and behavioral studies, environmental issues, state regulations, etc. The results are made available to interested parties via newsletters, book updates, telephone consultations, web site, and email.
Þ Skunk Merchandise: Looking for unique skunk collectibles and gifts? We have items available for purchase through ADSA. We can also tell you where to obtain supplies for your skunk such as vitamins, medications, etc.
We rely on your generosity to help fund our various programs. Membership in the American Domestic Skunk Association is a yearly donation of $15, which we use to cover the costs of skunk rescue and rehabilitation, our in-house research program, education, and mailing and printing costs. Our officers and representatives receive no monetary compensation for their work. In fact, many of the expenses are covered out of our own pockets. Our payment is the knowledge that we have saved the life of a skunk or have given one more the chance at a loving and caring home. Cash donations are always welcome and greatly needed, as are donations of prizes for our fundraising events, veterinary supplies, and office equipment and supplies. Additionally, we are always looking to add new people to our volunteer base in whatever capacity coincides with your interests (skunk foster care, assisting at community events, computer and clerical work, photography, videography, printing services, artwork and handcrafting, etc.).
Whenever you own any type of exotic or unusual pet, we feel it is particularly important for you to lend support to organizations whose goal is education and research pertaining to your special pet. Many species of animals have been introduced into the exotic pet industry, and surprisingly little data is available about them. Membership in such organizations is your best method of staying abreast of the latest research so that you can provide optimal care for your animal, thereby keeping him healthy and increasing his life span. It is part of being a responsible pet owner. We are happy to invest our time, knowledge and resources to help you and your skunk. Please be there to help us through your membership donation so that we can continue our work on behalf of you and your very special little animal. You will find that not only are skunks very loving and unique animals, but their owners are equally as loving and unique. The members of the American Domestic Skunk Association are a close-knit family working together and sharing our knowledge to help and protect the domestic skunk.
Please send your $15 membership donation to:
American Domestic Skunk Association, Inc.
1311 Hamlin Drive, Clearwater, FL 33764
To receive our care book
A Comprehensive Guide to Raising a Pet Skunk
Please send an additional $15 plus $2 shipping
For information please contact:
Mary Kaye Ashley, Vice Pres. National Board & President ADSA Florida
Phone (727) 532-6830 — www.skunks.org — Email mka@skunks.org
Michelle Pickren, Vice President ADSA Florida
Phone (561) 791-6979 - Email SkunkLuv@Bellsouth.net
