Philippine toy maker creates life-like pet plushies for grieving owners

Realistic pet plushies are displayed at the Pampanga Teddy Bear Factory in Philippines. - Reuters

MANILA (Reuters): Philippine toy maker David Tan is flooded with orders from grieving pet owners who want to memorialise their dogs, cats, hamsters and rabbits with stuffed toys or 'plushies'.

Tan and a team of 20 employees use photos sent by customers to create life-like replicas of their deceased pets using synthetic fur that is airbrushed to recreate colours and markings of the animals.