A leading Northern Ireland taxidermist has urged people to pause before they commit to having a beloved pet stuffed in a bid to keep them forever.
Ingrid Houwers was reacting after one family had their beloved Golden Retriever worked into a floor rug, unable to finally say goodbye.
Ingrid said: "I have requests all the time from families who want their pets preserved. But I don't do this work. For me, what people want preserved is the love and light the animals brought into their homes and their lives.
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"As a taxidermist I can work with an animal and I can make them perfectly life-like but there is no taxidermist on earth who can recreate the light in a pet's eyes, the warmth they exude from their heart. It's just not possible and I always advise against it - this is not work that I do.
"I know other people so, and I know many hundreds of people contact me to ask for help. What I advise is that they make their decision when the really raw feeling of grief has softened a little.
"If you have lost a pet and feel you cannot live without them in your home, that you want a taxidermist to recreate them, I advice you ask your vet to have them pet placed in a deep freeze to preserve them long enough to give you time for the emotions to calm a little and to look at the decision from a better place.
"Grief for a pet is horrendous, I know that, I understand that and I have suffered greatly after the loss of my pets over the years. If you decide after a month or two to still opt for taxidermy, then at least you have made the decision with a calmer mind. For many, time will allow them to change their mind and remember all the good times with their pet as a memorial."
Dog lovers agree that they are never with us long enough and their passing triggers an incomparable grief so memorialising them is now acceptable practise.
Ingrid, who works on many of the Game of Thrones' taxidermy creations, confirms that people are moving in increasing numbers to preserve the memory of their pets in ways that go beyond a park bench engraving, a tattoo or donating to an animal shelter in their honour.
But now animal lovers are moving in increasing numbers to preserve the memory of their pets in ways that go beyond a park bench engraving, a tattoo or donating to an animal shelter in their honour.
One mourning family triggered debate on the matter after they chose to have their late Golden Retriever transformed into a rug, so they will always be reminded of their late dog at home every day. Australian company Chimera Taxidermy was hired to create the memorial keepsake, and business owner Maddy, 29, says it’s not an unusual request with pet taxidermy on the rise.
In an Instagram post on her company’s account, Maddy wrote: “Beautiful old Golden Retriever preserved as a pelt for his family. Finally ready to head home.”
In the comments, she explained that “the pelt has been tanned and turned to leather so the fur won’t fall out”.
Speaking to Yahoo News, Maddy continued: “Pet taxidermy has only really become more popular in the last five years or so, so it’s a very new thing to see for most people.
"Some are more of a sentimental keepsake, others are on display resting in their beds or however their owners wanted them preserved.”
Maddy has been asked to preserve lots of different animals including rats, rabbits, goats and guinea pigs. The taxidermist admits it’s “definitely not for everyone” and she said she “absolutely respects that”.
Though she finds it incredibly rewarding to help owners with their grief and “allow them to keep a part of their pet forever”.
After sharing a video of the Golden Retriever rug online, Maddy received mixed responses from dog lovers. While some loved the “beautiful” idea and deemed it “sweet”, others were convinced it would make their mourning harder.
“I’m so glad more people are doing this now,” one person wrote, while another said: “Super cute, never seen pets preserved as pelts before.”
Taxidermy is the art of preserving an animal, often by stuffing or mounting them. It has a long history, with stuffed or mounted animals traditionally being kept as hunting trophies or on display in museums
Although taxidermy may seem like a thing of the past, it appears to be more popular than ever with pet taxidermy garnering popularity across the world. Many owners are choosing to transform their late dogs and cats into rugs, teddies and works of art.
Did you preserve your pet’s memory after they passed away? Email nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
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