I am an artist, and I like to use bones in some of my work.
There is a cat in a vacant lot across the street from my house that has been dead for six months or so. It has been lying in the grass under a cardboard box. I pulled the box aside a few days ago, and the cat is still in its fur.
I've looked in the archives, and all the cleaning methods I found seem to involve bringing the carcass inside or leaving it outside. Outside doesn't seem to be working in this case, and my husband is dead set against my bringing it into the house until the bones are clean.
I would appreciate any suggestions as to how I can clean the bones without bringing them inside or leaving them exposed for a long period of time- we have no yard, and live in the middle of the city.
Thanks!
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Put it in an open coffee can then find an ant hill to place it on. This sould take care of it without losing any bones.
Ted
Janey , if that cat has been outside for 6 months than the fur you see is just sitting on top of the bones .There canty be any meat on this now . Since there isnt any rain or wind to wash the fur off , it wont go anywhere . Brush the fur to the side and you'll see . Rick
Though Rick is correct in what he's said, often times, a natural glue is created during decomposition. That "glue" will hold some of the fur in place, but submerging it in a bucket of warm (or hot) water will soften the hide and the glue allowing you to clean it easier.
BTW, congratulations. Many people call us "sick" for what we do and your idea doesn't make me want to run right out and buy a pizza, but I'm impressed at your dedication.
I articulate animal skeleton as a hobby and is now keeping me busy 24/7.I used to get road kill but when i started getting fresh frozen animals i have NEVER even looked at any road kill again.If the animal died and rotted it has all of the smelly acids locked into the bones and will just about forever stink no matter what you do to it.You will spend some money on trying to get it not to stink with out ending up with a pile of dust at the end so what i would do is look or request on taxidermy.net any extra animal bones that are fresh frozen and all you will have to do is boil them(no smell)and 9 times out of 10 they will not need to be degreased and they will still be in good shape.good luck.