How To Avoid Skunks Spraying You Or Your Pet In New York State

Skunk mating season is here. That means you're more likely to run into a skunk in New York State.

The Town of New Windsor Animal Control took to Facebook to warn New York State residents it's skunk mating season.

"Skunk breeding season. Before you let your dogs out make a little noise and give skunks time to move out of your yard," the Town of New Windsor Animal Control wrote on Facebook this week.

Skunk Mating Season Arrives In New York State

Canva

February isn't just the month of love of humans, think Valentine's Day, but February is also skunk breeding season, according to the Town of New Windsor Animal Control and the New York State DEC.

"Is that love we smell in the air? No...wait. That's not love. It's...skunk! Or maybe, more appropriately, we should call it "skunk love," because guess what? Our human Valentine's Day just happens to coincide with prime skunk mating season," the DEC wrote on Facebook.

For all the news that the Hudson Valley is sharing make sure to follow Hudson Valley Post on Facebook, download the Hudson Valley Post Mobile App and sign up for the Hudson Valley Post Newsletter.

Tips If You Come Face To Face With A Skunk In New York

karlumbriaco

The Town of New Windsor Animal Control offered all New York residents a number of tips on what they should do if they come face to face with a skunk.

"If you come face to face with a skunk, stay calm and talk softly to let them know you’re there, skunks have poor eyesight. Skunks are very sweet-natured animals and don’t want to spray you. Go about your business and avoid startling them," the Town of New Windsor Animal Control said.

Skunks will also give several warnings they are scared, meaning before they spray.

Photon-Photos

Typically before spraying, skunks will give you several warnings, including stomping their feet, turning their backs to you, and doing a handstand, officials say.

Tips If a Skunk Sprays You or Your Pet In New York

The Town of New Windsor Animal Control also provided the following "recipe" if a skunk does spray you or your pet.

Canva

Firstly catch dog ( person etc) as quickly as possible - don’t let them roll or rub on anything.
If you have rubber gloves wear them. BLOT the spray off with paper towels.
Mix a paste from Dawn dish soap, peroxide, and baking soda and spread it on the area. Let it sit for ten minutes then rinse off and repeat.
If this happens to be on a human or hairless animal leave out the baking soda. The baking soda is sort of like an exfoliant and is really abrasive to bare skin.

Must See: Train & Tractor-Trailer Collide In Hudson Valley, New York

Note: If you use baking soda on your skin it will look like you have chemical burns, officials say.

LOOK: Here Are 30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

Nearly 50 Children Have Recently Gone Missing From New York State

Close to 50 children from New York State and the Hudson Valley have recently gone missing. You can help a New York family get reunited with a missing loved one.

Did You Know? Over 100 Fun Facts About the Hudson Valley

Did you know that Lucille Ball made her stage debut in the Hudson Valley? How about Philadelphia Cream Cheese wasn't invented in Philadelphia, but in Orange County? Or that a mansion in Dutchess County inspired the expression "keeping up with the Joneses?" Find out about those and over 100 other fun facts about the Hudson Valley.