Dumpster the Skunk

Initial Assessment

Once freed, Dumpster presented with moderate swelling around her neck and face, along with a small patch of broken skin. Her neck was cleaned thoroughly, and she received a long-acting antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medication to support her healing.

Care and Rehabilitation

Dumpster moved to an outdoor enclosure filled with natural enrichment to keep her stress levels as low as possible. Staff oversaw her medication and care, while our intern Bethany worked tirelessly to keep her clean, warm, and well fed throughout her stay in rehabilitation. Skunks are famously messy and quite fragrant, so caring for them is no small task.



When administering medication to skunks, caregivers must gently hold the base of the tail and point it toward the ground to reduce the chance of spraying, although this method does not always succeed. Skunks often spray our staff and interns during their care. Even so, their gentle nature and expressive faces make them impossible to resent. The temporary smell is always worth the joy of seeing a healthy skunk return to the wild.

Release and Final Outcome

After two weeks of dedicated treatment, Dumpster’s neck had fully healed, and she was ready for release. We transported her to a beautiful, wooded area close to where she was found and offered a friendly reminder to stay away from dumpsters in the future.

We are grateful for the good Samaritan who made the initial call, for our staff, volunteers, and interns, and for Vancouver Firehall number seven, whose team swiftly stepped in to help an animal in need. Thanks to everyone involved, Dumpster now has the chance to live a long, healthy, and fulfilling life back in the wild.