Would it be possible to tan a living animal? As in turn its hide into leather. If the animal was alive prior to the process would it still be alive afterwards? What, if the process could be survived, would be the physical implications afterwards? Also has this ever been attemted? I tried googling this but got nothing helpful.
I hope you don’t have pets. :eek:
No - Actual “tanning” impregnates the skin with preservative waxes, oils and other compounds (some toxic) which is mainly why it does not rot. - It is not compatible with living tissue.
Skindeep - Leather and leather manufacturing - Volumes 1-18
How cool!
One of these days I’m gonna look into rebinding some of my (really) old books. And now I know where to start.
Thanks, astro! 
Yes, if you use enough Coppertone and built up to it gradually.