American Stuffers

Take a peek into the unusual. Snuggled deep in the backwoods of Romance, Arkansas is a taxidermy shop where people come far and wide to say farewell to their pets in a special way through pet preservation. Taxidermist Daniel Ross, owner and founder of Xtreme Taxidermy, makes his business a family affair, including wife LaDawn, who handles the books, and his three young boys, who help out around the shop, which is right in their backyard!

Xtreme Taxidermy is the only business of its kind that specializes in pet preservation, and clients come from far and wide to bring Daniel their beloved, dead pets. With the help of three eccentric employees — Fred, Joseph and Dixie — Daniel and team give grieving clients an alternative to burial or cremation. While nothing can bring back these animals, Daniel and his artistic team attempt to come as close as science and art can allow. They recreate the illusion of life, and clients return home with their pets for eternity.

Behind the scenes, Daniel's three assistants often deliver more drama than product. Dixie, a veterinary student and newbie to taxidermy, ironically cringes at the sight of blood. Fred, a shoeless, shirtless classic redneck, has an accent so strong, he's often in need of an interpreter. Joseph's a burgeoning taxidermist with a cocky attitude and a penchant for pranks.

This season, viewers watch Daniel console offbeat customers, including a burley biker distraught over his Chihuahua's death and a woman with a deceased pet raccoon that slept in her bed. Be there as Dixie goes over the edge when stuffing her first Yorkie and as LaDawn loses it when Daniel uses her kitchen to work on dead animals. Could things be worse? The whole family and crew panic when a tornado rages into town.

Taxidermy is an odd and unpleasant business, but Daniel, his family and coworkers embrace their trade with the warm knowledge that they are providing a rare and lifelong gift to animal lovers. (Source: Animal Planet)