There are several methods to preserve the skin. You can wet tan it, or dry preserve. If you want a quality mount that will last a long time, I would suggest wet tanning it. Better yet, send it off to a tannery and let the experts do it. Shaving a hide is a pain in the butt if you do not have the right tools.

Also, buy a manual. They're not that expensive and it'll be your best resource for this information. Here are a couple good ones.

http://www.taxidermy.com/cat/02/BP1005.html

http://www.taxidermy.com/cat/02/BP1003.html