Outlaw Vanity Tattoos for Cats

(MOSCOW) - 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.

Giving cats elaborate vanity tattoos is all the rage right now in Russia. Pet owners sedate their hairless felines and subject them to the pain of the needle for hours in order to decorate them with ever more fantastical designs. This is selfish and outrageous

These unnecessary procedures leave kitty skin vulnerable to infection, and also cause the same pain that a human would feel.

Instead of spending time and money on such frivolity, pet owners should be focused on helping stray kittens struggling to survive bitter Russian winters.