SHIPPING FROZEN FOR TAXIDERMY
Shipping your pet or specimen for the preservation process can seem like a very overwhelming task! Please rest assured that clients ship to me from all over the country, and the guide below is meant to help you through the process. Please read this carefully and gather all materials before you are ready to part ways. Properly packaging your pet or specimen is integral to the preservation process-please take the time to read these directions thoroughly. I charge a $300 fee for any leaky, malodorous, or spoiled packages resulting from not following the directions below.
Please email me and confirm availability for shipping before sending your package to me.
Before shipping, it is important to keep your pet or specimen well wrapped in the freezer. Wrappings can consist of sheets, paper towels, or blankets for comfort and cushioning, and then a plastic bag securely closed around this for protection, removing as much air as possible. Some clients use zip top bags, others use contractor bags sealed with packing tape. It is a good idea to label the date and contents as well. Ideally, you would like to keep them in the freezer for less than a year (but there are many factors involved).
To ship, you will need extra layers of protection in addition to what is used for freezer storage. Please wrap and seal 3 layers of plastic, using tape if necessary. Some clients use zip top bags for very small creatures-this means using 3 separate bags. If you are using contractor bags, this also means 3 separate bags. In all cases, remove as much air as possible and seal each layer shut. This provides a leak proof barrier in the case of unexpected delays or changes in weather, so it is important that each layer of plastic is sealed or taped shut, removing as much air as possible.
Next, you’ll need 2 bags large enough to hold your wrapped pet or specimen and sufficient ice packs. Place your wrapped pet or specimen and ice packs in bag 1, and seal it up. Bag 2 will go around bag 1, and will be secured shut as well. These 2 bags will catch any condensation from the ice packs (see note below)*.
Now, note the size of this super wrapped bundle, and get an insulated shipping box and cooler that will accommodate your pet or specimen (like the ones here). As you are waiting to get the box and cooler, you can keep your super wrapped pet or specimen in the freezer. Please do not use an excessively large container for shipping specimens to me-this causes unnecessary delays, fees, and waste, and may be subject to fees up to $100.
When the shipping box and cooler arrives, see how your super wrapped pet or specimen fits in it. If there is empty space in the cooler around your pet or specimen, please be sure to fill it with insulation (you can use shredded paper, newspaper, packing peanuts, leftover insulation fiber from the home improvement projects, or even old clothes). Once your pet or specimen is in the cooler and insulated, please tape the cooler shut very securely using packing tape. Securing the cooler and sealing all seams closed helps keep all the cold air in, and is another step in leak protection. Once the cooler is taped closed, place the cooler into the box, and securely tape it closed too. The cooler and box may be too large to keep in your freezer, so you can keep your super wrapped specimen in the freezer instead, and wait until shipping day to pack everything.
Once your super wrapped pet or specimen is in the sealed cooler and in the sealed box, they may now be sent to me! Most clients choose overnight or two day shipping . If it is very cold out, 2 day shipping may suffice, but with current events, I strongly suggest overnight shipping with tracking, insurance, and noting that the goods are frozen and perishable and need timely delivery. Please email me to confirm shipping address and shipping date, and provide the tracking info so I may monitor package progress. Please plan to ship on a Monday or Tuesday to minimize risk of delays, and avoid shipping during major holidays and shopping weekends.
Once I receive your pet or specimen, I will be sure to notify you via email. I may not email you immediately upon receipt due to my workload, but rest assured every pet or specimen is inspected and frozen immediately on arrival.
Please feel free to use secondhand materials (I usually do!) but please make sure they are sturdy, functional, and clean. Many people get insulated boxes and ice packs from grocery stores or delivery services, and leftover insulation from moving and construction projects.
As a quick summary
To store your pet or specimen, you will need-
Clean cloth or paper towels for padding
1-2 plastic bags to go around cloth wrapping, for protection
To ship your pet or specimen, you will need-
3 plastic bags to fit your pet or specimen
Ice packs (see note below)*
2 plastic bags to fit ice packs and specimen
An insulated shipping kit-like this with box and cooler
Filler for any empty space in the box and/or cooler
Lots of good quality packing tape
*A note about ice packs-You may be wondering how many to use! A parakeet may require only 1-2 ice packs, where a swan may require 6-7. I usually try to get enough to cover the bottom and top of the wrapped specimen in the cooler. Please DO NOT use ice cubes, jugs filled with water, wet sponges, or other homemade fixes-no matter how well sealed, they melt very fast and leak uncontrollably, causing delays, damage, and unnecessary grief for delivery workers (not to mention fees). If you are using dry ice, please follow all carrier’s rules and regulations.