When my cat dies some day, is there a skinning service?

lemcat

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I would like to at least keep the skin and the fur of my cat.
 
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FeebysOwner

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Oh my! I guess I would lean toward taking a cast of my cat's paws, cut some hair to keep, and attach my favorite pictures to make a memorial, along with her cremation remains - maybe even a painting.

I couldn't stand having my cat's fur/skin looming about like those who do so with trophy animals. But, yes you could at least consult with a taxidermist about if it is legal to do so with a pet, if you so choose to go that route.
 

muffy

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L lemcat oh my ... im sorry but that just sounds morbid to me and i rather derhave her foot print in clay or a picture of her instead
I agree. Back in 1989 it became popurlar for people to take their pets to a taxidermist to be stuffed when their pets died. Around that time my sweet little poodle was dying and I knew it was just a matter of time before I had to have her put to sleep. One morning I was at work and we were watching GMA and they did a segment about it. I got so upset I had to leave the break room. My co-workers starting in on me to have Fancy stuffed when she died. I thought that was so morbid and it was something I knew I could never do. It would just be a constant reminder that Fancy was dead. I never kept my cats ashes either for the same reason. I have pictures of them and that's all I need to remember them by.
 

Jem

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Op's not asking for "opinions" on what they wish to do with their cat when they die. Op's asking on where to go and who to ask for help with it.

L lemcat - A taxidermist would probably be a good place to start, or perhaps if you don't have a taxidermist near by, a leather/shoe/belt repair shop may point you in the right direction. You could also contact a hunting/trapping association near you or even depending on where you live, you may be able to find a native gift shop that sells hand made moccasins and furs and they could maybe put you in touch with someone who knows about pelt preservation.

On a side note.....I would recommend you use the term "pelt preservation" rather than "skinning" moving forward....just a thought. :)
 

Willowy

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I never even really considered it but recently I became aware of a local shop that specializes in pelts and skulls, and advertises that they handle pets. Which might be interesting. I like skulls, though I don't know how I'd feel if I knew the skull's previous occupier.

Anyway they call themselves an oddity shop, so you could try that search term.
 

Kellster

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Some taxidermists also freeze dry pets. It looks similar to taxidermy, my the cat/dog is 100% intact.

I had my first cat freeze dried in a sleeping position when he passed.

The good point was I could always see and pet him. The down sides were the fact that he still was gone, I could still see the stitches from his last cancer surgery, and lastly, people making fun of it.

I finally had him cremated when my next one passed.
 

Juniper_Junebug

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The closest I've come to anything like that is collecting my cat's fur whenever I brush. The theory is that I'll learn to felt and make a little felted statue of my gorgeous girl/boy.
Every time I use the Furbinator on Juno I think about doing something similar. It seems like such a waste to throw out such nice soft fur. But then I remember my Drawer of Unfinished Projects and go for the dustbin.
 

Kellster

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I meant to say "It looks similar to taxidermy, BUT the cat/dog is 100% intact."
 

mani

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Every time I use the Furbinator on Juno I think about doing something similar. It seems like such a waste to throw out such nice soft fur. But then I remember my Drawer of Unfinished Projects and go for the dustbin.
I know this is going off-topic, but I really need to say that birds love cat hair for their nests. I used to leave it out on the trees for them. I found a miner bird nest lined with grey cat hair. :)
 

Margot Lane

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View attachment 435817
Hey Lemcat! I am in no way suggesting this to you, but, as Mani is mentioning other things, I thought it’d be OK. This is a lovely glass ball with cat’s ashes swirled inside. (on Etsy). Good luck finding what you are looking for. 1AF1DCF4-E9E9-4CA2-829D-67DDC9B47696.jpeg
 
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lemcat

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Some taxidermists also freeze dry pets. It looks similar to taxidermy, my the cat/dog is 100% intact.

I had my first cat freeze dried in a sleeping position when he passed.

The good point was I could always see and pet him. The down sides were the fact that he still was gone, I could still see the stitches from his last cancer surgery, and lastly, people making fun of it.

I finally had him cremated when my next one passed.
How much did it cost to freeze dry him?
 
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