A Christchurch taxidermist has let the cat out of the bag or rather, made a bag out of a cat.

The ginger fashion accessory, which features the head of an unlucky tabby caught in a road accident, could be yours for $1400.

"You can walk around, do your shopping and you've always got your cat with you," Christchurch taxidermist Claire Third says.

"It's one of a kind, it's not something you would order. Out of thin air, it's created."

Ms Third has listed the fashion piece for sale on Trade Me but animal welfare experts aren't thrilled with the listing.

"It's pretty disgusting, really, when you think about it," says SAFE executive director Hans Kriek.

"I mean this was a live animal and it's now being trivialised as a handbag and that's just not right."

It's one of many in Ms Third's home which features a cat with legs, a cat with talons and two-headed cat with wings.

But the purse hasn't gone over particularly well with some of the general public either.

"I'm a bit of a cat lover so I disagree with it," one Christchurch resident says.

Others can see the advantages.

"It's not socially acceptable to walk around with a cat on a leash, so have a dead cat on a bag. Why not?" another says.

Ms Third argues taxidermy is all about respect for animals.

"Instead of throwing it in a hole, I'm making the best of what I can do with it. Other people might say, you could go a step further and eat it. Not that I would eat a cat."

It's a fashion statement for the brave - the perfect accessory.

Newshub.