Tattooing has been in practice thousands of years,dating 5000 years ago to the Polynesians. The word 'tatau' means to mark something.

This art form has enjoyed a new surge in popularity and acceptance in recent years. Once viewed as a practice only reserved for sailors on leave or pirates, this art form has gained a huge following. People from all socioeconomic levels in society are now getting 'tats' ,ranging from tiny flowers on an ankle to whole back or chest tattoos.

Having an ink artist prick your skin with a needle injecting ink for hours to create a permanent work of art on your body is painful for most humans. Now imagine having it done to an animal.

You can have a tattoo of a cat but a new trend is emerging concerning hairless felines. The Sphinx, or New Mexican Hairless Cat breed , a hairless cat dating back to the ancient Pharaohs, is the latest victim of attention seeking owners.

The hairless, winkled Siamese-shaped cat is now becoming popular with tattoo shops.Photos of a tattooed cat first showed up on the internet, since march 2009, on a number of blogs.

The favorite pet is now becoming a work of art, just like their owners. It's been said that owners start to look like their pets, well now that is more true than ever. The once noble cat is now getting decorated, like a favorite painted canvas.

People owned these cats due to allergies from the cat's dander or hair. They were once an oddity and called 'ugly' by many. Having a cat without hair isn't something I'd ever consider.

The procedure takes a little over three hours and of course the cat is anesthetized. Anyone that owns a cat knows, you don't come near it and poke it without tearing you up! After the cat is put out,the artist can turn him in any direction to accomplish the task at hand. The dazed cat is an unwilling participant in this procedure. When it awakes, it surely is in pain and confused.

Are we humans so shallow and materialistic, that we see our pets as just another possession?

The animal was first reported to be tattooed in Russia with the image of the Sphinx. Apparently the owner thought this was a noble gesture on her part, since this breed originated from Egypt.

The photos of the hapless, hairless feline was reported around the world on the Internet.

Here's a link showing the cat getting that three hour tattoo procedure.

There are tattoo artists in New York City tattooing cats also. I noticed those reports and photos were removed. New Yorkers are tough on animal cruelty cases. Undoubtedly, these artists have gone underground.

Other animals

Since researching this story , I have found a few more tattooed animals besides the cat. Pigs and chihuahuas are being tattooed as well it looks like any hairless animal is fair game. Be afraid, be very afraid.There's a video of someone tattooing a pig at the end of this article.

I wonder why they don't tattoo a snake, or any reptile for that matter? They are hairless. Or perhaps a snake has too much of his own design to be bothered. I don't think an alligator will put up with that for a second. Now if they could get the dolphin to cooperate, that would be a fabulous place to show off some art work!

I think this is cruel and just plain stupid. Where is the Humane Society or the ASPCA, for that matter? Why is this not considered animal cruelty?