Bodies of late fur babies can be preserved using taxidermy

It's not easy to let go of a deceased pet.

Recently, many fur parents have taken to arranging funeral services to properly send off their beloved companions to the rainbow bridge, while others avail of cremation or aquamation to lay their babies to rest.

According to Katrina Son's report on "24 Oras Weekend," Sunday, some fur parents decide to preserve the bodies of their pets using taxidermy, a process usually used for hunting trophies or natural museum displays.

In the Philippines, PetEternity offers this service that costs P5,000 to P100,000, depending on the size of the pet. The process takes around three to six months, while the end product can last up to 100 years.

Dr. Jason Abner Sumaway, a taxidermist for PetEternity, said he and his colleagues take pride at the fact that they are able to help fur parents grieve their loss.

"Hindi naman kayang bayaran ng pera 'yung happiness na ibinabalik nila sa amin every time nakikita namin na nakangiti po sila pagka ibinalik na po namin 'yung pet nila," he said.

("No amount of money can pay for the happiness that they give back to us every time we see them smiling when we return their pets.")

One customer who availed of taxidermy for their late pet is the Cruz family, whose dog, Prada, passed away suddenly due to a parasite infection.

"Ang hirap i-process na parang all of a sudden, nandoon na siya sa stage na 'yun, critical na, hahabulin mo na 'yung dog na sobrang masaya. Masigla kahapon, bigla nasa critical stage na that time," said Carla Cruz.

("It's difficult to process that all of sudden, he's already at that stage where it's critical. You will look for the dog who is very happy. Yesterday he's still cheerful, then suddenly he's at the critical stage.")

The family has now been reunited with Prada after his body underwent taxidermy, but they have mixed feelings about it.

"Saya tsaka lungkot kasi magfa-flashback sa 'yo 'yung time na buhay siya eh. Masigla, malambing, then ngayon siya ayan na, hindi na gumagalaw," said Michael Cruz. "At the same time masaya kasi nakasama pa rin naman siya ulit."

("Happy and sad because his moments when he was still alive will flash back to you. Cheerful, sweet, and now he's no longer moving. At the same time we're happy because we are reunited with him.")

—MGP, GMA Integrated News