Hi, I'm Holly Labonté
Founder and owner of Bones & Hide Preservation — and the heart behind every piece we create.
My journey into preservation began where many great stories do: out in the field. As a hunter and a married mother of five, I was always looking for ways to make the most of what we had. When we hunted, there was always leftover fur, and I couldn't bring myself to throw it away. There had to be something more meaningful it could become.
Then life took an unexpected turn. After a dirt bike accident left me with a broken shoulder and months off work, I stumbled upon the art of taxidermy. What started with preserving squirrel fur quickly grew into a deep curiosity — first for bones, then for wet specimens, then for full hide tanning and mounts. Each technique I learned opened a new door, and I walked through every single one.
Eventually, someone asked if I could preserve their pet. I said yes. It turned out beautifully. From that moment, I knew this was more than a skill — it was a calling. I began offering pet preservation services and opened up to clients Canada-wide.
Before all of this, I spent over 10 years as a full-time Home and Auto Insurance broker. But as a mother of a child with special needs, the corporate world kept showing me the door. After my final termination, I made a decision: no more asking for permission to show up for my family. I became a full-time taxidermist, and I've never looked back.
Today, Bones & Hide is built on two things I love deeply: ethical preservation and hands-on education. Whether I'm carefully preserving a beloved pet so a family can hold them close forever, or watching a student beam with pride at the end of a class — this work fills me up in ways no 9-to-5 ever could.
Because preservation is more than a service — it's an art form that deserves to live on. Whether you're looking to honour a beloved pet, explore the craft through one of my hands-on classes, or find something truly unique in my shop, Bones & Hide is here to welcome you into this world.
As grief doesn't follow business hours, neither do I. If you've just lost your pet, please don't hesitate to reach out at any time — I'll respond as soon as I'm able. I'm a one-person studio and also a mom, so if I don't answer right away, I promise I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Your pet matters to me.
— Holly
