Dehyrated Cats

Dehydrated Cat (a)

Dead Cat. Formerly a Yellow Tabby. (F. silvestris catus). Dried cat in curled-up position. Probably late 20th century, c.e. Accessioned to the Main Street Museum in 2003.

Condition: "excellent, for what it is" (APM, attributed to EAB)

Formerly collection American Precision Museum, Windsor, Vermont.

Description from the APM catalog “Mummified mouse masticating machine, in crdbrd. box"

New location “dispposed of 2003”

Location: "M3, Sec. I, Bay 7, Ctr. markings (box) vertiflex dim: 10 x 4 x 22"

Comments: "EAB says this died and dehydrated in the building, he didnt say why it was saved."

—Gift to the Museum from the American Precision Museum, Windsor, Vermont

fa.2003.97.dy formerly: M3, Sec. I, Bay 7, Ctr.:

Dehyrdrated Cat (b)

Dead Cat from a Front Porch. Formerly, perhaps, a dark colored cat (F. silvestris catus) in leaping position. Found under a porch, White River Junction, Vermont.

—Gift to the Museum from Rachael Gross and James Sturm.

fa.2004.98.dy:

Overview

Not true mummies, our cats are merely dehydrated. Compare (a) to (b). Both appear to be sleeping. It is a theory of Main Street Museum staff, that the dehydration, in both instances, is due to the ingestion of commercially available rodenticide. A partially digested mouse, also dehydrated, was discovered in the abdomen area of specimen (b) during its conservation and preparation for exhibition.

Presentation

The Dehydrated Cats are mounted amidst dried flowers, lichens, mosses, dehyrdrated birds and mice, and cats' toys. This treatment was recommended as a "softening" approach to the intent of the Museum to present the felines in a manner that would not make small children cry.