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[sicpuppy]

Im a collector of mainly skulls/teeth/claws and odd scraps of fur/tails

Comments

[tallymark]

I have a similar ethical sentiment in my collecting, except in that I've relaxed a bit under certain circumstances. I don't want my money to support the killing of animals and won't buy furs (unless it is roadkill furs, or vintage items where my money is many many steps removed from the animal's death); but I sometimes get the skulls of animals that have been killed (hunters are in it for the fur--skulls are often practically throwaways)...skulls have a spiritual meaning for me too, but for me, I see it as "taking in" the animal and caring for it. by giving the bones a home I like to think they feel appreciated by someone who cares. But, I admire you for maintaining your standards

[sicpuppy]

"hunters are in it for the fur--skulls are often practically throwaways"

I have considered this, but at the same time, they're not giving them away for free, they're charging for them. They're making a profit off having killed an animal. If they were giving the skulls away free, or charging very low amounts for them, that might be ok but I would not want to give any money to anyone to encourage hunting for sport/pelts. I'd still feel like I was a 'part' of the killing of that animal, or encouraging or condoning it. Whereas this sort of guilt is not there if I had nothing to do with its death and did not fund anything to do with it.

[tallymark]

I definitely understand--I'm pretty selective and tend to shy away from big money skulls (Also: I'm poor!). You actually do occasionally see someone giving away a skull on taxi.net--a month or so ago somebody wanted to unload a raw swift fox skull and only asked that the recipient pay shipping. Raw skulls overall can be extremely cheap if you're patient...I literally paid $2 for a raw lamb skull once (plus shipping), which to me is just the seller getting some spare change for the effort it took to pack it up and send it to me. It was also guilt-free on another level because the lamb was stillborn (you sometimes encounter these too on taxi.net). Of course...all that's contingent on not being bothered by a messy cleaning job. ^_^;;

[tallymark]

Agh! I'm sorry, I forgot you lived in the UK..which means raw stuff is pretty much out anyway. >_< (at least from most sources I can give). Sorry, guess I wasn't too helpful. ^_^;;

[lo8a]

Don't forget about shed antlers. You can tell an antler is a shed because the bony base will be rounded and porous. If you're in the UK you may be able to acquire red deer and roe sheds pretty easily.

Also, there is shed fur. If you call various wildlife sanctuaries and explain your situation, you might be able to get some shed fur from live animals. Maybe offer a small donation. Spring is a good time to ask. Good luck!

[modastrid]

Maybe Roadkill isn't the way to go in your case.
Is it really any more ethical to collect roadkill fur than hunted fur? The animal was still killed by a person and there's no guarantee that it was a quick death.

Lo8a has a point about collecting shed stuff. I know you mentioned canines being your favorite but feathers, snake skin, antlers, old found bones, shells, and so many other things can be found in the wild. (Not so much feathers, but if you know someone with a pet bird, I'm sure they have plenty to spare!)
I have a found coyote skull as well as a dog and fox skull both found in the woods.

[breakspire]

x2 on the roadkill thought.

Getting hit by a car is still being killed by man. It puzzles me that when it comes to ethical concerns people are generally ok with roadkill if they're not with trappers/hunters. As if hitting them with cars is better than a quick bullet, injection, gas, etc. When you see an animal on the road, you know someone hit it, and just left it there. It's "murder" whether it was intentional or not. The roadkill I've picked up have had crushed skulls, broken bones, and one fox had his entrails spread across 10 ft of road. Man did that. Just because driving is a part of our lives, and you would get nowhere and laughed at for suggesting the cost of animal life is a reason for us to change our driving/road building habits, doesn't mean that isn't a cost. "that animal didn't want to be killed by us" probably didn't want to get hit by a car.

[primaldog]

Thirding the roadkill thought.

[jacques_strappe]

There's a fundamental difference, in my opinion, between getting killed on purpose (and often for profit) as it is with hunting/trapping/fur farms, and getting killed on accident, as it is with roadkill. Most people, unless they are truly sick, twisted individuals, don't TRY to hit animals on the road. The one time I hit a squirrel on the highway, I cried for a solid hour. Yes, the death on the road might not be pleasant (as no death is), but I can assure you that getting your skull crushed by a truck and dying instantly is far less traumatic and painful than it is to get hooked in a snare and wait for your death.

[white9_fox]

Do they have wolf sanctuaries or wolves in zoos in the UK?

In America, sometimes the shed fur from wolves in such places can be given to be incorporated into artwork or collected, and would still fit into your no-killing policy. If there's anything like that around your area maybe you could try asking them for a few bits?

Have you also considered replicas of wolf bits? Realistic, artistic, and otherwise?

[wieselkind]

I know there is a wolf sanctuary in Scotland. maybe OP could contact them.

[lion_bones]

I know this isn't what you meant but if you could get me some shed T-rex skin I would love you forever.

*iImhappyplz.jpg*

[primaldog]

I have a very large amount of shed wolf fur, as well as shed coyote fur, both obtained in sanctuaries, that I use in my crafts projects. I also use fossil wolf teeth, when I can get them. I scavenge from a wide variety of sources, so if you're interested, I can probably help you out with at least some things.

[sicpuppy]

I would be very interested! Thanks! <3

[primaldog]

No prob! You're welcome to email me at cynanthropos(at)gmail, and ask any questions about anything I might have. I also pull from a variety of antique and secondhand sources--things that have been "out of cycle" for a long while, if that makes any sense.