In most Australian tourist shops you can buy purses and wallets made from cane toads. They are kind of like those handy little alligator foot backscratchers you can get in New Orleans (so there is obviously a universal market for critter bits). Plus, you get the added benefit of supporting an industry that is helping to rid Australia of an invasive feral pest that kills endagnered native wildlife.

Could we do the same thing with cats? An innovative Dutch artist has done just that. She is using stunts like this to raise awareness about hypocrisy in the animal rights movement and the 'forgotten' plight of factory farmed animals. Why not do the same thing here? You could raise money for the protection of native wildlife, help to eradicate feral cats and raise awareness of the importance of both quarantine restrictions and keeping pets away from native animals, all at the same time. Fur is more marketable than dried out toad skin. Could we create a new market for 'the good fur'? Will cat skin one day be trendy? Let's hope so.

The story about the cat handbag:

http://www.tinkebell.com/pinkeltje

A guide on how to make one (warning, graphic content):

http://www.tinkebell.com/manual

The other thread about cats:

http://ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1183443761