Policy

IMPORTANT.

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ AND CONSIDER THE WHOLE DOCUMENT.

THIS WILL SAVE YOU TIME AND PREVENT MISUNDERSTANDINGS LATER.

PLEASE BE VERY AWARE TAXIDERMY OF YOUR PET IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND CAN TAKE UP TO A YEAR TO COMPLETE.

YOU MAY HAVE MOVED ON, EMOTIONALY, A LONG WAY IN THAT TIME. IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS AT ALL ABOUT TAXIDERMY AS AN OPTION THEN I WOULD STRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST IT.

If you are reading this document then you have probably done at least some research into the subject of Pet taxidermy and may be considering it as an option with regard to your own pet or that of someone you know.

Working on pets is unlike any other area of the Taxidermists work because of the intense emotions involved after the death of a much loved Pet. A sensitive and caring approach must be taken as people can, quite understandably, be in a distressed and highly emotional state when they first call in or phone about having their Pet set up. Pet taxidermy is also far more demanding both technically artistically and emotionally than “wild animal” work. It is for these reasons that many taxidermists will decline to do pets.

In the following text I have addressed some of the issues raised regarding this delicate subject and deal with some of the most frequently asked questions and issues. At the same time I have set out my own personal approach and policy with regard to working on Pets. Please read the whole document carefully and consider fully the implications before contacting me.

Only rarely do people plan in advance to have their pet set up. In the majority of cases (at least in my experience) people only consider taxidermy as an option in the hours after their pet has died. They will be upset and often confused about the best choice to make over the fate of their pet. They often do not wish to be parted from the mortal remains and find the prospect frightening and upsetting. Many feel under pressure to decide quickly on how to proceed. The options are usually as follows:

They can leave him/her at the Veterinary practice (as for most pets these days euthanasia is the preferred option to minimise any suffering for the animal)

They can take their pet home for burial
Go to a Pet cemetery
Or have it cremated.
Finally they can seek out the services of a taxidermist and approach him or her to enquire about having their pet set up.

There is also an added pressure; that of time, as the deceased pet will begin to decompose rapidly if action is not taken to arrest the process by means of refrigeration or deep freezing.

Cost is another major consideration

Good quality pet taxidermy can be prohibitively expensive. It may also be pertinent to mention at this point that the size of an animal is not necessarily an indicator of the price. Nor is a comparison with the price of a similar sized "wild" animal. Each pet must be considered carefully as each one is highly individual, requiring different techniques and treatment to complete it. Faced with this confusing array of decisions people can feel "rushed" in to a decision that they may later regret.

They may rush in to having their pet set up and later regret the decision, causing great embarrassment and anger on both sides, or they may bury or cremate their pet in haste only to wish they had been able to find a taxidermist able to set up their pet.

My policy on pets hopefully goes some way to solving these problems without any risk of embarrassment for either party regardless of the final decision.

Q. My pet has died and I am thinking about taxidermy as an option. What should I do next?

A . Put your pet somewhere very cold. Preferably, in a deep freeze or refrigerator. Failing that, on a cold concrete floor (this is very important as warmth causes the body to deteriorate very quickly. If your pet has been euthanized by a vet, then you may be able to store it for a time at the Vets. Most vets have several large chest freezers and will usually store the pet (sometimes for a fee) whilst you make a decision about what you would like to do with your pet.

VERY IMPORTANT I CANNOT ACCEPT PETS FOR STORAGE IN THE FIRST TWO WEEKS AFTER THEY HAVE PASSED. THEY SHOULD BE STORED FROZEN AT YOUR VETERINARY PRACTICE. WE CANNOT ACCEPT PETS ON SHORT NOTICE, ESPECIALLY LARGE DOGS. THEY MUST BE BROUGHT FROZEN AND BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT AND TELEPHONE CONSULTATION.

Q. Is my pet suitable for taxidermy?

A. It is VERY important to understand that not all animals whether wild or pets will be suitable for taxidermy. The condition of the animal at the time of its death is critical to the outcome. Even the most skilled taxidermist cannot make a very old or ill animal appear healthy and young again. Pets that are old and/or in ill health when they die are usually in very bad condition; they may be losing their fur, feathers or hair. They may have lost or gained weight or have injuries and scarring from accidents or illness. Also too much time may have elapsed since it died. 24 hrs would be considered borderline. LONGER THAN THIS AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE AS REGARDS TAXIDERMY. Environmental conditions are also a factor the colder the body is stored the better. It is for these reasons that I always carefully examine any pet brought to my workshop.

If, after our initial discussion and my preliminary examination your pet is deemed suitable as a potential taxidermy subject I may then place your pet in frozen storage for a minimum "adjustment period" of 5-8 weeks. I DO CHARGE FOR BOTH CONSULTATIONS AND STORAGE. THIS TAKES UP MUCH TIME AND, THOUGH WE SYMETHISE DEEPLY WITH PEOPLE IN THIS SITUATION, WE MUST CHARGE FOR OUR TIME.

The purpose of this adjustment period is to allow you, the pet's owner, sufficient time to reflect on and consider the full implications both financially and emotionally of the taxidermy option and come to a rational and informed choice bearing in mind all the pros and cons.

If, after that period, you decide not to go ahead then I will be happy to return your pet to you for burial or cremation. You are under no pressure whatsoever to choose taxidermy for your pet. If you are not absolutely certain then don’t do it.

Only after this 5-8 week period has expired and you have contacted me and stated with conviction that you have decided on taxidermy for your pet, can we move to the next stage.

We would then need to go through the matter in some more detail. I would ask you for some background information on your pet. We would also need to consider the position you would like your pet modelled in as, once completed, this is irreversible and permanent. I would require as many recent photos as possible to help me get a sense of how your pet behaved and particularly its character and expression and favourite resting position. I normally recommend that a pet be set up in a resting repose as this will help to convey a sense of peace and restfulness.

What should I expect

Your expectations must be realistic and based on a calm, rational assessment of what exactly you are entering into when choosing taxidermy. If your pet was old and ill and had lost weight when it passed then this is how it will appear in the completed work. No taxidermist, no matter how skilled, can make the old young or the ill appear healthy. Taxidermy is a long and involved process and, without being graphic, it is important to state that the process means that a finished mount is hard to the touch, the pose cannot be altered in any way and the eyes, though very realistic and anatomically accurate, are glass. Areas if skin with little or no hair or fur may show stitching which is part of the process. The older and the more ill the pet the less satisfactory the result can be. It is an unfortunate fact that a young animal in healthy coat looks better than and old infirm one.

How much does it cost.

As stated above the actual costs are highly specific to each animal; the species, age, breed, size, pose required and condition of the animal are all factors which can affect the cost to greater or lesser degree. As a rough guide to pricing I charge from £1200 for a cat and from £1500 to £3000 for a small to medium dog. For larger dogs up to Alsatian/Lab size I would need to consult with the client and assess the animal.

I would require a deposit of 40% of the final cost before actually commencing working on your pet. The balance of the account is due on completion.

INITIAL COSTS AND OTHER CHARGES

*Please note for cats and medium sized dogs (Border collie for example) Charges may vary according to individual breeds and sizes.

I do have to make an initial charge of £200.00 (This fee is fully redeemable against the final cost of the job and constitutes part of the deposit if you go ahead with the taxidermy.)

£100 of this for my time and the initial storage and handling of pets for the 5 -8 weeks. The remaining £100 is to cover disposal costs in the event of abandonment for whatrever reason, by the client.I believe that this is well worth the piece of mind that you, the client, have had the time to make an informed choice about the outcome for your deceased pet. If required I can also produce a sealed wooden box for a reasonable cost. Otherwise the pet will be placed in sealed polythene liner and placed in a plain cardboard box.

If you come back to take your pets body away for burial,cremation etc. You will recieve £80.. back from the £200. The additional £20 to cover time removing pet from storage, wrapping and returning your pet to you at my studio.

YOU WILL HAVE £80 of the £200 RETURNED, AS THIS IS TO COVER THE COST OF THE DISPOSAL IN THE EVENT YOU DO NOT RETURN FOR THE BODY.

IF, AFTER THE ADJUSTMENT PERIOD, YOU CHOOSE NOT TO RETURN FOR YOUR PET, I WILL MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DISPOSAL OF THE BODY THROUGH THE PROPER CHANNELS (USUALLY THE LOCAL PET CREMATORIUM) THERE IS A COST FOR THIS SERVICE AND IT MUST BE COVERED IN THE INITIAL FEE OF £200.00. THIS FEE IS REDEEMABLE AGAINST THE COST OF THE TAXIDERMY IF YOU CHOOSE TO GO AHEAD.

I HOPE THAT YOU HAVE FOUND THE ABOVE TO BE CLEAR AND INFORMATIVE. I HAVE TRIED TO COVER ALL ASPECTS HONESTLY AND CLEARLY.

PHILIP LEGGETT