When a Kentucky homeowner noticed a black plastic bag lying in her neighbor’s yard the other day, she almost walked past it. But then she heard a faint rustling coming from inside.
Curious — and a little alarmed — she lifted the bag. What she found underneath made her heart drop.
A skunk was trapped in a metal cage, struggling to breathe. Covered completely by the plastic, the poor animal had been slowly losing oxygen — until she arrived just in time.
Without hesitation, the woman called Second Chances Wildlife Center (SCWC) for help. Within minutes, a volunteer was on the way.
When the volunteer arrived and spoke with the homeowners, the truth came out: the skunk had wandered into their garage several times, so they set a trap to catch him — and then, tragically, covered the cage with a garbage bag to “keep him calm.” Then they left him there.
Fortunately, their kind neighbor’s curiosity — and compassion — saved his life.
“[T]he volunteer that went to get him did a little bit of educating,” SCWC wrote in a Facebook comment. “We are at least thankful for their cooperation.”
The volunteer gently freed the skunk and brought him back to the rescue’s headquarters. Miraculously, he was healthy and unharmed.
That night, he finally got to rest safely in a cozy outdoor enclosure. And he wasn’t alone for long — two other rescued skunks soon joined him.
“This little skunk now has two new family members, which will help in their overall likelihood of surviving once released back to the wild,” said Brigette Brouillard, SCWC’s founder and director. “If they stay together through winter, they’ll conserve more energy.”
Now, the once-trapped skunk is thriving — surrounded by friends and caretakers who are preparing him for a second chance at freedom.
According to Humane World for Animals, the best way to handle a visiting skunk is simply to give them space and secure any food or trash that might attract them. Skunks are shy, nocturnal, and play an important ecological role — all the more reason to let them be.
For this little one, it took a moment of human kindness to turn a dire situation into a story of survival.
Thanks to a woman who refused to ignore a mysterious bag in her neighborhood, one tiny life is breathing freely again — and soon, he’ll be ready to return to the wild where he belongs.
To help other wild animals like him, you can donate to Second Chances Wildlife Center.
