Love or Obsession? New York woman preserves pet cat, draws mixed reactions 

Pets are more than companions; they become family, sharing moments of joy and comforting us through tough times. Losing them often leaves a void that’s hard to fill. But for Meghan Riley, a New York-based body piercer, saying goodbye to her beloved cat was simply not an option. Instead, she chose an unconventional and highly controversial way to keep her furry friend close forever.

“Unbox My Dead Cat With Me”

In a video that has stunned the internet, Riley shared her unique memorial on Instagram with the caption overlay: “Unbox my dead cat with me.” The clip shows her unwrapping a package to reveal her black cat, perfectly freeze-dried and preserved.

Through tears, she is seen hugging the animal, stroking its fur, and gently placing it on a shelf in her home. Explaining her decision, she wrote:

“When you love something that much, you don’t bury it. You preserve it. Forever iconic. Forever fuzzy. And yes, he’s freeze-dried. No, I’m not sorry.”

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Meghan Riley- Professional Body Piercer (@meghanriley.piercer)

Divided Reactions Online

The video quickly went viral, crossing 20 million views and sparking fierce debate. While some empathized with her grief, many slammed the act as “disturbing” and “unhealthy,” with one user commenting, “This is the most horrible thing I’ve ever seen on Instagram.”

Love, Grief, and Boundaries

Grief takes many forms, and while Riley’s choice may shock many, it reflects how deeply humans bond with their pets. Whether one sees it as an act of devotion or discomfort, her story is a reminder of how love often blurs the lines between farewell and forever.