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Resin
Preservation
It is possible to
preserve bodies by replacing the blood and body
fluids with resin which sets solid. This is a form
of embalming which can produce an extremely
lifelike effect while leaving all internal tissues
in place. Plasticisation has been used with humans
(in Germany, I believe) as a form of art, but may
become available for pets if there is a demand for
it. It is still rare, but for owners has the
advantage that the internal tissues remain intact
and are not discarded as they are with taxidermy.
Donation
of Body to an Institution
You will have to
discuss this option with your vet while your cat
is still alive; he may be able to refer you to a
small animal hospital where vets are trained. Sometimes museums
or other institutions advertise, asking for
exhibits e.g. of certain breeds or of oddities
such as cats with extra toes. If you know that
your cat does not have a long life-expectancy and
do not mind its fur, teeth and claws being used in
this way you may wish to contact the institution.
Since taxidermy has no use for other body parts,
you could ask the museum to arrange individual
cremation of the remaining parts (the museum may
agree to pay for this in return for your
permission for taxidermy) or for their transfer to
a veterinary teaching hospital (donation to
veterinary science, above).
Replacement
Instead of preservation of the body or cloning,
you may wish to adopt a cat which is the same
color or breed as your original cat. It will be an
individual and it depends on how you feel about
being reminded about your old cat. Some people
prefer to have a cat which looks totally different
to avoid the constant reminders. Some people do
not mind at all what color the cat is because
companionship (or rescuing an unwanted cat) is
more important to them.
Others always adopt a cat
of the same breed because it will have a similar
temperament and may even be related to the
previous cat. There are plenty of people who have
owned a black and white cat called Tiddles
throughout their life figuring that they'll never
forget its name even if each Tiddles is a little
different to the previous Tiddles.
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