A tattoo parlor in downtown Bloomington gave local residents tattoos and piercings for pet shelters.
The Illinois Tattoo Company held a flash tattoo fundraiser to benefit the Humane Society of Central Illinois (HSCI) on Saturday. Fifty percent of tattoo sales and 30% of piercing sales went toward HSCI in Normal.
“It brings people out that might not usually come out for these events, or might not come out to get a tattoo,” said Roy Ashman, a tattoo artist from Pontiac. “But because it’s for Humane Society we get more people that will come out for those events because they know that we’re helping support something that’s good for the community.”
Andrew Childers, co-head of the small events division at HSCI, said the additional clientele made for a busy day.
“We got here and set up probably around 10:30 this morning and there was already a line forming, the line wrapped around the building to the next block," Childers said.
HSCI operates from donations, and the money is used to pay for animal care such as food, microchips, vaccinations, spaying or neutering.
Another aspect of the event was the set of special pet-themed designs available for the day at Illinois Tattoo Company.
“I was super excited because I really love all the designs and I love that it’s supporting the Humane Society,” said customer Beverly Fenton.
Though the need for background checks meant no pets were adopted during the event, HSCI executive director Nicole Watts said several at the event applied for adoption.
That is a familiar process to Candace Leas of Decatur, who came to Bloomington for the event because her pet was adopted from the Humane Society.
“I get really worked up when I see animals that are struggling to find homes in shelters,” said Leas about HSCI. “So as much as my partner probably doesn’t want us to have multiple animals, I think down the road that’s probably the place we’re going to.”
