Pet Skunk “Dominika” Found Safe After Long Escape
A pet skunk named Dominika has been found safe after more than four months on the run across the English countryside.
The 16-month-old female skunk disappeared from her home in Braybrooke, Northamptonshire, on 28 May, traveling roughly 25 miles before being discovered in Nassington earlier this month.
Her owner, Jayne McLaughlin, described Dominika as a “very bright, very capable” animal and said she was “so excited” to hear that her adventurous pet had been rescued.
Previous Escapes Across Market Harborough and Corby
Dominika was no stranger to disappearing acts. According to Ms McLaughlin, the curious creature had previously ventured to Market Harborough — three miles away — and Corby, 10 miles from her home.
This summer’s prolonged dry weather left the owner particularly concerned that the skunk might struggle to find water or shelter, but rescuers confirmed she was recovered “in good condition.”
Rescue Took 12 Hours of Chasing
The skunk’s rescuer, Clare Blake, said she initially mistook Dominika for a badger after spotting her in the garden of her Nassington home, near Peterborough.
“It took 12 hours of chasing before I finally caught her,” Blake told reporters.
After the dramatic capture, Dominika was transported to the Exotic Pet Refuge in Deeping St James, Lincolnshire, an animal rescue and rehabilitation center that specializes in caring for unusual species.
A New Home at the Exotic Pet Refuge
Ms McLaughlin, who owns six other pet skunks, said Dominika had become “increasingly anxious to wander” since coming into season for the first time earlier this year.
At her new home, Dominika has already bonded with a male skunk, and it’s been decided that she will remain at the secure Lincolnshire facility for the foreseeable future.
“She’s safe, happy, and in great hands,” Ms McLaughlin said. “I couldn’t ask for a better outcome.”
A Happy Ending for an Adventurous Skunk
While Dominika’s daring escape caused months of worry, her story ends on a positive note — with a healthy, sociable skunk now thriving among her kind at one of the UK’s top exotic animal refuges.
Her owner says she hopes Dominika’s tale will remind other exotic pet owners to secure outdoor enclosures and register animals with rescue centers in case they ever go missing.