How Much is it to Taxidermy a Cat?

How Much is it to Taxidermy a Cat from North Carolina Adventures of Frugal Mom

A cat can be a beloved family pet. When it finally passes, you want to make sure to honor it. While cremation is an option, so is preserving the cat through taxidermy. This way, you get to gaze upon your cat for years to come.

Cat taxidermy costs can vary dramatically based on all that is being done. You can pose a cat in many ways so that it appears more lifelike in your home.

By knowing all that goes into the cost, it will make it easier to decide if this is the way you wish to memorialize the cat you have recently lost.

Average Cat Taxidermy Costs

The average cost of cat taxidermy is around $1500.

At a professional taxidermist such as Animal Family Pet Preservation, a simple pricing model is offered. Cats that are between two and six pounds would cost $1495. Cats that are above six pounds but below 20 pounds are priced at $39 per additional pound.

The weight of the cat is one of the most important aspects used to price the cost of taxidermy.

There’s also the famous adage of “you get what you pay for.” If you find a service that is considerably lower than the average, you have to wonder why. Are they keeping the body properly preserved? Will there be any unusual odors when the cat is returned to you? Will the body be posed unnaturally?

You should always speak to a professional to find out all that is included in the cost. Often, just the basic taxidermy services are provided for the average cost. If you are going to need more in terms of posing or even a rush to get the cat back in your possession, it will cost you more.

Other Costs to Consider

Your cat meant enough to you that you want to even consider taxidermy. This means that you’re willing to spend the money to preserve it properly. If it isn’t going to look like your cat by the end of the process, there’s no use bothering with any of it.

The costs will vary based on what you need to have done.

Articulation

Consider whether your cat has endured any damage to its body. Some of this may have to do with how your cat died, such as if it were due to unnatural causes.

If the skeleton has been damaged or any of its limbs have been broken, you will need to consider articulation. This is where the cost of cat taxidermy can start to get expensive.

There is both skull and skeletal articulation. Partial articulation could start at $1500 while full articulation, including placing the animal on a base, would be $3500 or more.

Obviously, you want your cat to look as lifelike as possible. If it has been injured, things will need to be “fixed” before it can be properly posed.

It’s important to note that articulation can also add to the time it will take to complete the entire process.

Posing

A significant amount of work goes into posing your cat. The taxidermy process is handled in a studio. The professionals will work tirelessly to carefully work your cat into the desired pose without causing destruction to the skeleton and/or fur.

Some places will charge for the eyes to be open while others will include it.

Not all poses are easy to achieve – and some may be impossible.  Sitting is often easier (and more affordable) than standing.

Consider two or three poses you’d like to see your cat in. This way, you can have them all priced and determine if one is more affordable than another.

Shipping

Shipping costs have to be considered twice – getting your cat to the taxidermist and getting your cat returned to you.

Some places may allow you to bring the cat in on your own – as long as it has been properly preserved. Otherwise, you will be given specific instructions on how to preserve the body. Most professionals ask that you ship the cat overnight so that there’s no chance of further deterioration during the shipping process.

Finally, when the cat has been fully preserved and is ready, you may have the ability to pick it up or you will need to have it shipped to you. Some taxidermists include the return shipping costs in the original price while others will charge extra. Be sure to ask about the shipping so that you don’t have any surprise charges later on.

Fast Turnaround

Typically, it will take four to six months to get a cat returned to you. However, if you are looking to jump to the front of the line or rush the process, it will cost you. In some instances, you may be looking at paying an additional 50% of the total just to rush the service by a few months.

Get a Custom Quote

The only way to know for sure what the cost is going to be is for you to talk to a taxidermy professional. Let them know any damages your cat has sustained. Show them a picture of the cat and discuss the kind of posing you want, such as a raised head, an extended paw, and open eyes.

Choose a Professional Taxidermy Service

You only get one chance to have your cat go through a taxidermy service. There’s no way for you to bring your cat to another taxidermist to “fix” what has gone wrong. It’s why it’s critical to work with a professional company that offers reputable services.

While you may pay a little more to work with a professional and compassionate service, you can rely on the results. A significant number of hours and care go into the process – and the final result should be a cat that has been perfectly preserved so that it still looks alive.

When you work with a reputable taxidermy service, you can relax knowing that your pet is in good hands.

Don’t be afraid to do your research. Ask questions, get quotes, and read reviews. In the end, you only get one shot to have your cat preserved to your liking, so don’t hesitate to wait long and pay more to get the results you truly want.

But if taxidermy isn’t your thing, then you can always look for gifts in memory of a pet. For us, we pick a particular color of a rose for to plant in memory of our beloved fur babies.

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