SUSTAINIBILITY
Policy
OUR STATEMENT
At Pretty Dead Taxidermy, our profound respect for the natural world is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to offering products that are not only unique and inspiring but also sustainably sourced. One of our goals within in the company is to teach the public about the natural world and conservation. We work directly with conservation organizations, science and agriculture departments along with following all laws, standards and legislation surrounding animal welfare, ecological efforts and preservation of species in their habitats.
Transparency is key to our mission, and we invite you to explore how we ensure our practices align with our values. If you have any questions, we’re always here to provide clarity and reassurance.
ETHICAL VS. SUSTAINABLE
The term ‘ethical taxidermy’ is meant to encompass practices that prioritise the well-being of animals, conservation, and environmental sustainability. It is a philosophy synonymous with ethical sourcing, humane practices, and conservation principles.
In contrast, traditional taxidermy that one might stereotypically associate with trophy hunting and using non-sustainable materials, ethical taxidermy promotes using specimens that have died of natural causes, working in collaboration with wildlife authorities and abiding by preservation methods that do not harm the environment or consumer health.
However, the term itself leaves room for a lot of ambiguity as what is considered ‘ethical’ can be interpreted and subjective from person to person. There is also no authority in place to hold taxidermists accountable for moral conduct which leads to a broad range of opinions on what constitutes ‘ethical taxidermy’ and what is not. No two people adhere to the exact same code of ethics and with that, Pretty Dead Taxidermy came to the conclusion to use the term ‘Sustainable’ in it’s place.
This allows us to be clear and transparent with our consumers on how and where we source our materials from. Whether that is ethical or not is up to the individual and their own personal beliefs.
On that note we would like to make it clear that we do not condone animal cruelty or the slaughter of animals simply for the purpose of taxidermy.
ANIMAL BONES & TAXIDERMY
Our collection of taxidermy, animal skulls, and skeletons is carefully curated to prioritize sustainability. The majority of our pieces are vintage, antique, or recycled, ensuring that we discourage the demand for newly sourced specimens. Many items come from private estates, inherited collections, or individuals looking to rehome pieces they no longer wish to keep.
We also work with suppliers that utilize byproducts from animals raised for food, ensuring that every part of the animal is respectfully repurposed. Additionally, some specimens are sourced from sustainable wildlife population control programs, roadkill, or pest management initiatives. We strictly oppose the trade of poached or endangered animals and do not support practices that harm ecosystems or wildlife.
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INSECTS
Our insect offerings are sourced through ethical and sustainable means. Many are harvested under strict guidelines in their native habitats, often by local communities who rely on these practices for their livelihoods. This approach not only supports local economies but also encourages habitat preservation.
Conservation farms play a significant role in our sourcing, particularly for larger species like bird-wing butterflies. These farms release a portion of their populations into the wild while selling the remainder to fund their conservation efforts. All vendors comply with international regulations, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), ensuring that no protected species are commercialized.
WET SPECIMENS
Every wet specimen in our collection comes from animals that either died naturally or would otherwise be considered "waste" parts. Some, are from reputable animal feeder suppliers and others from farmers and hunters where the parts of the animal would otherwise be thrown away. Additionally, we occasionally receive animal parts from veterinary technicians, pest control companies (i.e: roadkill) and biology departments.
Preserved in 70-85% isopropyl alcohol to ensure safety with public handling.
BATS
The bats we offer are sourced as byproducts of wildlife population control or pest management programs - we understand and know the difficulty surrounding clean sourcing bats in the animal trade that are not affecting ecosystems and habitats despite it being legal to buy and sell. When possible we always prioritize buying second-hand/vintage bats than new.
We only carry species classified as “least concern” in terms of conservation status, ensuring that our practices do not contribute to the endangerment of any species. The bats we do carry are rigorously sourced by our supplier who travels first hand to purchase these and commits to finding us as close to cleanly sourced bats as possible.
This is why we only ever house 1-3 bats in our shop per year and are a very rare and special item for us to have due to sourcing difficulties. These bats are not sold online and only in-person at our studio, if we have them in stock.
Beyond that from a zoo tropic point of note, all our imports of these bats are pre-quarantined and meet the Canadian federal guidelines and permits to enter the country to avoid any and all potential for viruses, disease, etc.
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
At Pretty Dead Taxidermy, sustainability is a guiding principle. We are dedicated to preserving the natural world while offering products that inspire curiosity and connection.
By choosing Pretty Dead Taxidermy, you are supporting sustainable practices that prioritize the health of our planet and its inhabitants.
If you have any questions about our sourcing or sustainability efforts,
please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Together, we can celebrate the beauty of nature responsibly.