page_title: Pet tattoo
section_title: Ethical Implications of Pet Tattooing
hierarchical_section_title: Pet tattoo / Ethical Implications of Pet Tattooing
caption_attribution_description: English: Picture was taken on the outskirts of Sariska Tiger Reserve.
context_page_description: The term Pet Tattoo relates to the act of tattooing directly onto animals, a common practice which is utilised within various different aspects of society. Pet Tattooing refers to the tattooing of animals for either cultural purposes, artistic means, animal identification or simply with personal aesthetic motives. Wim Delvoye is a pig tattoo artist who is originally from Belgium, but relocated to China to avoid the EU's animal rights laws. Wim Delvoye is known for tattooing 'pop culture' symbols directly onto live pigs, which he then exhibits them in galleries or on his Art Farm. This is an unconventional form of pet tattooing, so has therefore provoked debate about the morality of this art form. The most widely accepted utilisation of pet tattooing, however, is for animal identification. This occurs within the agricultural industry, at breeding farms, in scientific laboratories or for the identification of domesticated pets. Anaesthetic or other methods of sedation are commonly administered for this type of procedure, with the aim to provide minimal harm and pain to the animal.
context_section_description: The discourse surrounding the treatment of animals dates back to ancient religious texts; Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism abandoned the concept of animal sacrifice in their biblical texts, as Eastern philosophy believes in non-violence to all living beings. In the Islamic religion, adherents are taught that Allah has granted humans with power over animals, however, bad treatment of animals is wholly forbidden.
  The philosophy of animal welfare implies that humans have the power or right over animals, and are therefore responsible for their well-being. The concept of 'animal well-being' accounts for an animal's stress, suffering, physical health and behavioural needs. However, this dominion that humans possess over animals has provoked conflicted attitudes toward the practice of pet tattooing; although people assert that tattooing animals can evoke harm and pain upon the animal, others believe that it is within their rights as an owner. This 'dominion over animals' is a Judeo-Christian concept, and explains the complex relationship between humankind and animals. The major world religions have therefore had great impact on societal attitudes toward the treatment of animals, where non-violence to all living creatures is a commonly shared philosophy among the majority of major religions.
caption: Tattooed camel on the outskirts of the Sariska Tiger Reserve in India.
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