A family has turned their dog into a household item in order to keep the beloved pet close to them after its passing. Australian company Chimera Taxidermy was hired to turn the Golden Retriever into a rug.
The company said that the practice was on the rise but admitted it is "definitely not for everyone." Taking to social media the taxidermists shared the process in which the pets go through.
According to the Express, the company wrote in an Instagram post: "Beautiful old golden retriever preserved as a pelt for his family. Finally ready to head home." They explained that the pelt has to be tanned and turned to leather to stop the fur from falling out.
Speaking to Yahoo News, Maddy, 29, said: "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."
However, the Chimera Taxidermy owner admitted the idea was "definitely not for everyone" and that she "absolutely respects that".
She added: "It's sometimes difficult working with pets compared to other animals. But it's more rewarding to be able to help people with their grief and allow them to keep a part of their pet forever."
Social media users were divided over the unusual practice.
One said: "Beautiful work as always."
Another wrote: "I'm so glad more people are doing this now."
A third added: "What a cutie! You did a great job with him."
A fourth said: "Pet taxidermy where the pets sleep forever always give me a really special feeling, like they're not forced to anything, they're free and their owners still have them very near at the same time. Such a beautiful and peaceful thing."
While some approved others reacted with angry emojis and expressed their disgust.
But, another user responded: "This is someone's pet. They wanted to keep a part of him forever, no different to keeping ashes of a loved one. He wasn't killed for taxidermy."
Maddy also posted a photo of a pet cat named Milkshake to her Instagram - she had stuffed the animal and mounted it in its favourite sleeping position.
In the post's caption, she wrote: "Taxidermy preservation for the beloved cat, Milkshake. She has been preserved by traditional taxidermy, sleeping eternally in her favourite resting position.
"Thank you for the trust to preserve this beautiful lady forever."
A user commented: "I would love this for my kitty."
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