ethics[ eth-iks ] : noun (used with a singular or plural verb) a system of moral principles: the ethics of a culture. • Dictionary.com

 

If you look at any website, shop or blog that deals with working with animal remains or parts you may come across the mention of ethics.

 

However, ethics are subjective and each person’s view of them are as individual as the person who believes them. A meat eater, a vegan and someone who works in animal rescue are likely to have very very different views on what is classed as ethical. I am not here not here to pass judgement on anyones ethical beliefs, I simply want to be transparent, so that my customers can make an informed decision before they choose to purchase any natural items from me.

 

Because of this I prefer to stear away from using the work ethics and rather go by my own code of responsible sourcing.

 

Where possible, I like to collect as many of my pieces myself. So these creatures and bones would be in their deceased state due to natural death, wild predators remains, or from victims of road accidents.

 

Unfortunately for me (but fortunately for the wildlife) where I live is not littered with bones and bodies meaning that I do have to purchase in things and accept from other sources from time to time. However, I only accept pieces in from sources that I trust (no Ebay purchases here).

 

I Will Use:

• Creatures that have died from natural causes, do old age, illness or have been a victim of the wildlife food chain.
• Creatures that have been the victims of road traffic accidents.Deceased pets.
• Creatures from shoots where the end result is for them to be consumed.
• Creatures from pest control. Whilst I am a believer of they were here first and it is us encroaching on their territory, there is no escaping that pest control happens. But I also believe that is better that I get to work with these creatures rather than them being left somewhere to decompose. At least with me they get to live on.

 

I Won’t Use:

• Creatures that have been killed for fun.Creatures that have been killed specifically for taxidermy/bone work or have been killed specifically to be able to profit from taxidermy/bone work trade.
• Bats
• Otters
• Dolphin, Whale or Pourpoise
• Any endangered creature

 

For My Personal Collection Only:

The following I will work with, but for my own personal collection only due to certain conditions around them.

 

Owls and Raptors. To create pieces with these to sell on it requires to need to purchase specific paperwork. For me it is not worth it financially so any of these I work on I keep for myself or gift to people. You also, can only purchase deceased owls and raptors if they have the correct A10 paperwork. However they can be gifted to another person for free if a gifting letter is included.

 

Seals. You can legally collect seal parts yourself or have any seal parts gifted to you. But it is illegal to sell any seals parts to anyone. There is no paperwork or licence that will allow you to do so.