Taxidermist Makes Dead Cat Handbags And It's Repulsive

If you've ever seen animal heads mounted on walls in offices or homes, you know what taxidermy is all about. Some people take it too far and have their beloved family pet stuffed for posterity. Humans have used animals and animal parts for millions of years to display their dominance as the strongest animal in the kingdom or out of necessity. But this new trend hitting Japan, New Zealand, and Australia is causing an uproar with animal rights activists and cat lovers.

#1 Cat Bags

They say cats have nine lives, but nobody expected the last one to be as a handbag.

#2 Unique Handbag

A truly one-one-of-a-kind handbag created out of the pelt of a dead cat and featuring the feline's intact head as part of the decor has sparked a debate online after its listing on an online auction site, TradeMe, went viral.

#3 Odd Taxidermy

Created by Clare Third, a professional taxidermist from Christchurch, New Zealand, who took a dead feline and turned it into a shoulder bag and yes, someone bought it. She claims no cat was harmed or killed for the purpose of creating the bizarre accessory.

#4 For The Girl Hard To Buy For

According to a label on the back of the purse, the finished item has a name. Tom, is part of her "Glamourpuss Summer Collection on the catwalk," it reads. It goes on to state that the unique purse is for the girl who has everything.

#5 She Said It Was Roadkill

Third told local news outlets that the cat was roadkill that she found on the side on her street and kept in her freezer, hoping someone would post about a missing cat. After three months she decided that since the head was intact and the body was flattened, she would be creative, and she made Tom into a handbag.

#6 People Are Outraged

She said she then left her cat purse in her freezer for almost seven years before deciding it was worth something to sell and she placed it up for auction. It only took days before the comments about her design began to flourish, and the post went viral. Almost all of the 6,300 comments were negative, prompting hateful and alarming threats that Ms. Third had not expected. People were disgusted.

#7 It's Legal But Repulsive

Hans Kriek, the director of New Zealand's Save Animals From Exploitation organization was asked about the sale of the cat purse and said that she knew of no laws prohibiting the use of animals that been put down or died of natural causes for taxidermy. However, she pointed out that the cat bag was in poor taste and disrespectful to animals.

#8 Japan Has Pussy Purses

Meanwhile, in Japan, another taxidermist is creating what she calls 'Pussy Purses" that are made from real cat fur and heads. Business is doing so well that she has started a small company to produce the handbags, which he says are made from preserved cats with artificial limbs and eyes.

#9 Real Or Fake

Artist Pico, from Tokyo, has designed adorable kitties complete with individual markings, whiskers, and tails. She says that most of the time they only have portions of the actual cat so a lot of faux fur and stuffed limbs are added to give the kitten purses an authentic look. Customers who have purchased the bags on the black market in Australia have said the bags look like fake cats because of their eyes. However, one Aussie had hers tested and the materials used were 85% actual feline.

#10 On Sale Only In Japan

Because of regulations regarding the sale and transfer of animals, the Pussy Purses are only available in Japan right now and are selling for around $900 each. Pico announced that if she can get the designer handbags down to 60% of actual feline materials, she will be able to sell her bags in other countries through a Yahoo auction site. In other words, the pussy purses are mostly made up of actual cats, though the company has not reported how they get such beautiful cats to assemble into the bags.

#11 Clare Third Is Selling Another Purse

Back in New Zealand, taxidermist Clare Third must have run over another stray cat, since she now has a second auction up with a similar cat purse as her first, except this one is dyed pink. If you missed the chance to bid on her first cat bag, the second one is now available, though the starting bid is much higher this time.

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