Latest Pet Craze: 'Affectionate' Skunks

Busby walks on a leash, “follows the kids around,” snuggles with his owner at night, and rarely stinks up the house. It’s an impressive feat—for a skunk. He’s one of some 2,000 kept as pets, the Daily Mail reports. “He’s incredibly affectionate and sociable,” says his owner. “Busby made a stink once and it just smelled slightly of garlic. But since we’ve trained him, there have been no problems.”

“He has a litter tray and uses that like a cat,” she adds. Indeed, “the dogs make more mess.” Skunks weigh up to 18 pounds, are 15 to 37 inches long, and usually live about 10 years—and they can cost up to $2,500, the Mail notes. Fortunately, “if they are trained properly when they are younger,” says a breeder, “then there is no need to worry about them spraying.” (More skunks stories.)