A Lisbon tattoo artist is offering small, fine-line tattoos in exchange for donations to help the animal welfare association União Zoófila care for dogs throughout November.
Vera Servo Pereira’s initiative runs from 1 to 30 November and aims to gather wet dog food, particularly pâté, which staff use to hide tablets when administering medication to animals in their care.
The campaign offers three packages, with donations increasing based on the number of tattoos booked, and all collected food will be delivered to União Zoófila.
Package costs
This initiative includes three tattoo options up to five centimetres on the arms or legs, in black or red ink.
The packages are priced as follows:
One tattoo - €50, plus five 400g tins of pâté.
Two tattoos - €60, plus seven 400g tins of pâté.
Three tattoos - €70, plus ten 400g tins of pâté.
The campaign follows a similar initiative organised by Pereira last year. According to the tattoo artist, the previous campaign raised more than 270kg of dry food for the association, with support from the local community.
This year’s appeal focuses on wet food, which can make it easier for carers to give medication to dogs that might otherwise refuse their tablets.
How to help
Those who would prefer not to get a tattoo can still support the association by donating food, medicines, bedding, plastic kennels, and cleaning supplies.
The organisation’s list of needs includes specialist dog and cat food, such as hypoallergenic and gastrointestinal varieties, as well as food for puppies and kittens.
Among the requested supplies are also disposable gowns and products for washing clothes and dishes.
Donations can be delivered daily between 2pm and 5pm to União Zoófila at Rua Padre Carlos dos Santos, 1500-901, Lisbon.
More ways to contribute include making a financial donation, becoming a member, sponsoring an animal or volunteering.
Volunteers can assist with essential daily tasks, such as cleaning the facilities, brushing animals, providing general care and collecting food supplies.
Responsible adoption
Founded in 1951, União Zoófila protects and cares for neglected or mistreated dogs and cats, including providing shelter and care for animals awaiting adoption.
Campaigns such as Pereira’s help raise essential supplies while encouraging people to get involved in animal welfare.
The association also promotes responsible adoption, emphasising the importance of giving animals in its care the opportunity to find permanent homes.
Those interested in booking a charity tattoo can contact Vera Servo Pereira through Instagram at @veraservopereira.
For information about donations, volunteering, sponsorship and adoption, visit the official União Zoófila website.