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Russian Tattooist Timur Rimut recently inked his hairless sphynx cat with a large tattoo reading "Carpe Diem." Rimut sedated his pet during the session so she would keep still while he inked the design permanently on her chest. This is not the first case of a pet receiving a vanity tattoo in Russia: in 2010, owner Oskana Popova had her cat Mickey sedated for three hours to receive a colored chest tattoo of King Tut.

Cats have often received tiny ear tattoos for identification purposes, but these procedures are always performed by a trained veterinary specialist. Unnecessary vanity tattoos leave skin open to infection, especially if the owner neglects proper aftercare. When cats wake up after the inking session, they experience the same pain and soreness that humans feel while their tattooed skin heals. Obviously, cats are unable to give their consent to receive a tattoo.

Please sign the petition to outlaw vanity tattoos for Russian pets.