Before 1952 fur dealers could sell skunk fur under various names such as "American Sable." In 1951 the US passed the "Truth in Fur Labeling Act,
"In response to rampant false advertising and false labeling of animal fur garments, Congresspassed the Fur Products Labeling Act in 1951, with the law taking effect in 1952, requiring that animal fur garments be labeled with the name of the species used, manufacturer, country of origin, and other information. The law was intended to prevent unfair competition in the marketplace and to protect consumers by providing product information and letting them know whether the product is made from real animal fur, and if so, what type of fur. A New York Time article published in 1952 noted that the new law was “enacted to eliminate unfair trade practices and deceptive merchandising and advertising of fur coats.”i At the time, some sellers were using misleading terms such as “mink-dyed muskrat” for muskrat coats, “coney” for rabbit fur, and “marten dyed skunk” for skunk, and leaders of the fur industry called for strict labeling standards to ensure that consumers had accurate and consistent product information."
People who were operating skunk fur farms instantly lost all their business. No one would want to wear a coat made out of skunk fur. They had to think of something else to do with all these skunks. These skunks had been bred for many generations to be larger so they'd yield a larger pelt. They were also bred for tameness. They were not bred for health or heartiness as they would kill the skunks as soon as they were mature to sell their pelts.
The skunk fur operators decided to market skunks as pets. The following article came from a magazine then went out of business in 2001. I found these on the Internet. I obviously do not recommend doing any of these things. Skunks should never be in cages with wire floors. They should not be left outside in the snow. They need general anesthesia with monitors in order to descent them. I'm posting this just because it's interesting how much things have changed. Today pet skunks are illegal in most states. In the states where they are legal you need special permits. Click to see larger.
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Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.
"In response to rampant false advertising and false labeling of animal fur garments, Congresspassed the Fur Products Labeling Act in 1951, with the law taking effect in 1952, requiring that animal fur garments be labeled with the name of the species used, manufacturer, country of origin, and other information. The law was intended to prevent unfair competition in the marketplace and to protect consumers by providing product information and letting them know whether the product is made from real animal fur, and if so, what type of fur. A New York Time article published in 1952 noted that the new law was “enacted to eliminate unfair trade practices and deceptive merchandising and advertising of fur coats.”i At the time, some sellers were using misleading terms such as “mink-dyed muskrat” for muskrat coats, “coney” for rabbit fur, and “marten dyed skunk” for skunk, and leaders of the fur industry called for strict labeling standards to ensure that consumers had accurate and consistent product information."
People who were operating skunk fur farms instantly lost all their business. No one would want to wear a coat made out of skunk fur. They had to think of something else to do with all these skunks. These skunks had been bred for many generations to be larger so they'd yield a larger pelt. They were also bred for tameness. They were not bred for health or heartiness as they would kill the skunks as soon as they were mature to sell their pelts.
The skunk fur operators decided to market skunks as pets. The following article came from a magazine then went out of business in 2001. I found these on the Internet. I obviously do not recommend doing any of these things. Skunks should never be in cages with wire floors. They should not be left outside in the snow. They need general anesthesia with monitors in order to descent them. I'm posting this just because it's interesting how much things have changed. Today pet skunks are illegal in most states. In the states where they are legal you need special permits. Click to see larger.
Mary Cummins of Animal Advocates is a wildlife rehabilitator licensed by the California Department of Fish and Game and the USDA. Mary Cummins is also a licensed real estate appraiser in Los Angeles, California.
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