Is there any one that would be able to help me locate good forms for the domestic cat and dog (all breeds). Any companies with better forms than others ?
Any information at all would be greatfully received.
Many thanks, Liza
No one to my knowledge makes those kind of forms. if you really need to do that loathsome work get them freeze-dryed.
Just hard to do, because NO ONE makes the forms( aside from the piddly few made by Touchstones). Realistically the pet market is pretty big, and i don't see a whole lot of difference between skinning a bobcat and a housecat- they are both cats, one is just fattier. The same can be said about dogs and coyotes ,wolves, and foxes. How about those half tame fatty doggy looking ranch foxes, not too far from a dog if you ask me. If more and better supplies and so on existed for doing pets, we could do them better. I know theres the problem of the pet owner getting mad when it doesn't look just right, but i've done 2 dogs conventionally and no complaints. Would they not also complain the same with freeze dried pets? In fact i think freeze dried pets would garner more complaints, when hot humid weather makes the fat melt and ooze, or if bugs get into it. Also you cannot freeze dry a whole German Shepherd. I had a beloved dog die on me, and it stewed me up that other taxidermists did not want to skin him for me. I was too much in grieving to do it myself.
Many thanks to all of the kind people that have replied both on here and also by email in regards to help with pets.
Thank you for your time and varied comments
Liza
You obviously know nothing about freezedrying and pets.
Zip it up.
I own a freeze dryer, and i've experimented with fat, and i've seen bugs get into things when left in an improper place. Dermestids are native all over and are right outside the door.The public is not as well versed in the proper care of such items, and bugs might get into something( most people don't even know about dermestids). And what taxidermist wants to look stupid and warn them of the fact that freeze dried flesh is more likely to attract bugs? AFTER the animal has been freeze dried? I still hear about taxidermists moaning about this or that freeze dry place sending them buggy animals.
I have been doing for many years, and you are right you can make good money doing cats and dogs. most taxidermist dont mount them to day because they dont have forms for them, and they do not have the know how of the old days. where you had to use parts of the dog or cat to make the form. I dont think there are to many taxidermist out their to day that know how to wrap a boady to mount on except for some old timers it was and art in its self to warp a boady tight enough to hold legs and wing wires. so learn to clean skulls ect and make your forms the old way. Because to day with all these new forms, all you must be is a skinner . But to day one way is freeze drying.or making a plaster mold of the dog or cat and make a foam form yourself.
I have been doing for many years, and you are right you can make good money doing cats and dogs. most taxidermist dont mount them to day because they dont have forms for them, and they do not have the know how of the old days. where you had to use parts of the dog or cat to make the form. I dont think there are to many taxidermist out their to day that know how to wrap a boady to mount on except for some old timers it was and art in its self to warp a boady tight enough to hold legs and wing wires. so learn to clean skulls ect and make your forms the old way. Because to day with all these new forms, all you must be is a skinner . But to day one way is freeze drying.or making a plaster mold of the dog or cat and make a foam form yourself.