Maureen Francis shared her Fish Tank Toilet with us and it got me thinking about some of the unusual and bizaare items I've come across while showing property. 

I seem to have found a relatively gross item I keep running across in homes.  Taxidermied cats. 

As in household pet, here kitty kitty, type cats.  I don't get it.  It's creepy.  I was showing a condominium in an exclusive community and the showing instructions were "don't let the cat out".  I warned my buyers on the way in not to let the cat out.  About ten minutes later Mrs. Buyer is about to pet the "cat" curled up on the sofa.  Guess what.....yeah, stuffed and mounted, dead for years.  I grabbed her hand and said, "Don't touch it, it's not the cat you're looking for."  She about passed out.  I think I've seen three or four of the stuffed cats since.  When the agent called for showing feedback I suggested they put the dead cat in a drawer or something.

I don't have a cat.  I have a dog.  I love my dog.  I love him so much I am going to bury him when he dies.  I'm not going to have him stuffed and staring at me 24/7.

As "luck" would have it, last week I was on the treadmill at the gym and the man beside me was a taxidermist.  I had to ask about the cats.  He has done a few and said he just got his worse order ever.  The owner of the recently deceased cat wanted it made into a little area rug, like a bear skin rug...with a head propped up and it's teeth showing in a snarl and it's little body as the rug.  I was speachless.  And guess what?  It's probably coming to a listing near me!

I'd love to hear the war stories, if you have them.  Photos are welcome too.

 

41 Comments on Oh no, this is NOT happening!

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DEC
27
2006
310,131 Points 19 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Chris,

While I personally do not care for taxidermy anything, I think we all need to tell our Sellers that these are personal items that should not be for public viewing! Especially little kitties.  I had to check out where you were from to make sure it wasn't a trend:)   Very odd that you are seeing them more than once!
7:56pm • #22
2 Featured Posts

Yuck!!! That is freaky!!!

Dead animals..bad karma or so a buyer once told me. When I see those mounted dead things on the walls I tell the seller to pack them up.

Yuck! 
8:24pm • #23
416,892 Points 63 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Let me just say this, my lovelies, I grew up on a farm, remember?  I understand hunting, eating, stuffing and worshiping it when it's on the wall.  I don't care for it, but I understand it.  I just don't understand "here, kitty kitty" and "Rowdy the dog" as a home accessory.   It's like going potty with your pants on, it just doesn't make sense. 
9:12pm • #24
1,155,989 Points 29 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
I was creeped out by the head of all types of majestic animals  from all over the world hanging in the study of a rather expensive house.
9:55pm • #25
8 Featured Posts
Not seen personally...but I was watching some show on animal planet involving animal/pet rescues in phoenix.  And this one gentlemen was kind enough to adopt a kitten that was recently rescued.  But he had these stuffed animals in his house (from the shots they showed) that really could have been his former pets....
10:45pm • #26
DEC
28
2006
190,820 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Chris,

Thanks for the post. I have not encountered this and hope not. This is where you counsel the owner that their personal pleasure may not be universally appreciated!
6:14am • #27
The things I run into are neither stuffed nor mounted on the wall.  They are dead though.  Next in line is porn.
6:14am • #28

I did a preview on one of the lower-end houses in our area right after I got my license. I walked in and there was a pile of deceased kittens on the floor. I walked right out and called the listing agent.

And his response disgusted me even more, "well what did you expect?"

--

Gary - I have to disagree with you about this being a person's home. When they put that house up for sale, they have to seperate from the house from them. It may be "awkward" but as Tony pointed out in the first comment, it is a tight-rope that we have to walk to sell the house.
8:27am • #29
142,077 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I was staging a home recently and I went to move a very large / very ugly box on the mantle.  The homeowner jumped up and yelled "DON'T TOUCH THAT BOX - it has to stay there."  Then I noticed there were sympathy cards all around it.  I apologized and explained that I had not noticed that it was an urn.  The homeowner explained that it contained the remains of his diseased Akita.  I did not know what to say.

Happy ending - after I finished staging the rest of the home he agreed that maybe the dog could rest in peace somewhere else until after the move.  We decorated the mantle and made it into the stunning showpiece it was meant to be. 

8:40am • #30
147,095 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Simple-

Me: Do you REALLY want to sell your house?

Client: Of course..

Me: Well, this is what you need to do to make it more appealing--------

It might make someone a little uncomfortable at the start but when their home sells faster because it doesn't look like a set from "Hee-Haw" I'm sure they will understand!
11:15am • #31
Toby - That is a little unacceptable.  Even in a foreclosure home, the lender will want the dead things to be removed in a trashout.  I'd bet it was the agent being lazy.
11:40am • #32
2 Featured Posts
Well I have seen cat poop, that is seemingly displayed throughout the house! Gross! I have seen terrible yellow shag carpet that should might as well be stuffed and displayed (don't people realize that it was dead in the 70's) and I have seen dirty underwear sprawled over the floor. You just gave me an idea for a post! Thanks!
12:46pm • #33

Rich - I know. Out of town owner with an out-of-town agent on a $30,000 listing ... don't bother me with such small things.
3:47pm • #34
DEC
29
2006
329,920 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Chris - I have NEVER seen one of those cats and I hope I NEVER do!!  GROSS!!!

I would think that would be an instant turn-off for all buyers and their agents!  What a way to get alot of bad PR going around the real estate cooler on that listing -  YUK!!!!

Ann
11:54am • #35
JAN
01
2007
221,087 Points 56 Featured Posts Outside Blog
how about a photo of the dead pet!  Holy Cow that's funny!  I'm an animal lover and would never stuff my pets after they die - but that's me....there's a saying in Spanish "cada loco con su tema" - which I guess translates "to each, his own".  Thanks Chris
8:26pm • #36
SEP
05
2007
416,892 Points 63 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Let's sleeping pets lie!
10:56am • #37

Im staring at a box of ashes from a great dane that died 4 years ago.  My wife insisted we had him cremated?  Its a heavy box, I've never looked inside though.  I would love to dispose of it, but she will not allow me, so instead of the mantle, I convinced her my office was a better place to put the dog. 

I've never seen a stuffed pet, hope I never do.  I think it would rather creepy. 

11:07am • #38

Hello Chris

When I lived in Maine I had taxidermy to decorate my log cabin but stuffed cats?? WoW, that's way too much.

Wasn't there a comedy show years ago with a stuffed Doberman on little wheels?

I cremate my dogs & spread their ashes in the woods so they can chase squirrels for all eternity.

I think there's a saying. All dogs go to heaven.
5:55pm • #39
1,373,058 Points 7 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Howdy Chris

My lady and I have white cat she is part of our family. We love her to much to her stuffed. You just do not stuffe family.

Have a good one
6:11pm • #40
I have never seen a stuffed cat and hope that I never will. I have buried a few cats and dogs over the years. I'm not into stuffed animals of any sort.
9:39pm • #41

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Chris Elizabeth Griffith ~ Bonita Springs Fl Real Estate

Bonita Springs, FL

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Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL

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