What it is and why it works
People love their pets. Many want a tattoo of them: a simple outline of a dog's face, a cat curled up, a paw print, or a memorial for a pet who has passed. A pet portrait flash day makes that easy. Clients send a clear photo ahead of time. Your artists draw small, simple pieces from those photos in a set style, at a set price, on one day.
It works because the love is already there. You are giving people a reason and a date. And pet people talk to each other: at the vet, at the groomer, at the dog park, and in the shelter's online groups. When you partner with those places, word travels.
Handle memorial pieces with care. For some clients, this is about grief, not fun. Give them time and quiet.
Who to contact
| Partner | Who to ask for | What they bring |
|---|---|---|
| Local animal shelter or rescue | Director or events lead | Shares with their supporters; you may give part of the day to them (get their written OK) |
| Groomers | Owner | A stack of cards or a flyer at the counter; clients who just got a fresh photo of their pet |
| Veterinary clinics | Practice manager | A flyer in the waiting room, if they allow it |
| Pet stores and dog bakeries | Owner or manager | A flyer, a shared post, maybe treats on the day |
| Dog parks and local pet groups online | Group admins | A post, only if the group allows business posts |
Ask the vet and the groomer before you leave anything. A quick "may I leave a few cards?" goes a long way.
What to prepare
- A booking form that takes a clear pet photo, placement and size (see C5)
- A one-page photo guide: good light, eye level, face in focus, no heavy filters
- A set style (for example, fine line outline or bold simple portrait) and set sizes, so each piece fits the day
- One price per size, written down, and what costs extra (a second pet, a name, color)
- A deposit rule so each slot is held
- ID station, consent and release forms, written aftercare for every client
- A photo consent box on the release form
- If a shelter is your partner: their written OK to use their name, and your exact giving rule
- A plan for pets: most health departments do not allow animals in tattoo areas. Ask yours, and keep pets out of work areas.
Step by step
- Pick a date six to eight weeks ahead, and pick the partners you'll ask.
- Set the style, sizes, and prices. Keep it simple enough that each piece fits in a normal slot.
- Visit the partners with flyers and a short, friendly ask. If a shelter is involved, get their OK in writing and talk to a tax professional about the gift.
- Open booking four to six weeks ahead. Photos come in with the booking, so artists can draw ahead.
- Review every photo within a few days. If a photo won't work, ask for a better one right away.
- Draw the pieces in the week before, and send each client a preview if that is your shop's practice.
- Run the day. ID check, signed release, the piece, written aftercare. Keep a box of tissues nearby for memorial pieces.
- Post the work only with written OK, and ask clients if they'd like to share a photo of the pet too.
- Thank the partners by name, and send the shelter what you promised with a note.
Scripts
To a groomer or vet
Hi, I'm [name] from [shop name] on [street]. On [date] we're holding a pet portrait flash day: small tattoos of people's pets, drawn from their photos. Would you be OK with us leaving a few flyers at your counter? We'd be glad to tag you in our posts and send people your way.
To the shelter director
Hi, I'm [name], owner of [shop name]. We're holding a pet portrait flash day on [date], and we'd like [$[__] from every piece] to go to [shelter name].
Before we use your name anywhere, we want your OK on how we mention you. Would you also be willing to share the event with your supporters?
Booking post
PET PORTRAIT FLASH DAY at [shop name]
[Date]. Small tattoos of your dog, cat, or other best friend, drawn from your photo.
Sizes and prices: [small $__ / medium $__].
Book here and send your pet's photo: [booking link]. A deposit holds your spot.
All clients must be [age]+ with a government photo ID.
[Optional: $[__] from every piece goes to [shelter name], with their OK.]
Photo guide message
Thanks for booking! For the best tattoo, please send:
- A clear photo in daylight
- Taken at your pet's eye level
- Face in focus, no filters
- A second photo if you have one
If you're booking a memorial piece, older photos are fine. Just send the clearest one you have, and we'll let you know if it will work.
For a memorial piece
I'm so sorry about [pet's name]. We'll take our time with this. If you'd like, tell me a little about them, anything that might help us get the look right.
What it can lead to (and what to charge)
| Follow-on work | Example price (example only) |
|---|---|
| Pet portrait flash on the day | Example: set price per size, like $[__] small, $[__] medium |
| Larger or realistic pet portrait | Example: your normal hourly rate or piece price, with deposit |
| A second pet added next to the first | Example: your normal small-piece price |
| Memorial piece with a name or date | Example: your normal price, booked for a quiet time |
These are only examples. Some clients come back each time they get a new pet. See C7.
Timing
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 6 to 8 weeks before | Date, style, sizes, prices; partners chosen |
| 4 to 6 weeks before | Visit partners; booking opens with photos |
| 1 to 2 weeks before | Review photos; draw pieces; reminder posts |
| The day | Run it; keep pets out of work areas |
| The week after | Approved photos; thank partners; send the shelter's share |
Many shelters and pet groups have adoption events through the year. Ask your partner when theirs are. See C8.
Checklist
- Style, sizes and prices set
- Booking form takes a pet photo
- Partners asked; flyers left where allowed
- Shelter's written OK (if involved); tax professional asked
- Health department asked about animals on site
- Photos reviewed; pieces drawn
- ID, release forms, aftercare ready
- Photo consent before posting
- Partners thanked by name
Mistakes to avoid
- Pets in the work area. Keep animals out of tattoo areas unless your health department says otherwise.
- Taking a bad photo. A blurry photo makes a weak tattoo. Ask for a better one early, kindly.
- Rushing a memorial piece. Give those clients a calm slot and extra time.
- Using a character instead of the pet. Don't turn someone's dog into a cartoon brand character. Draw the real pet, in your own style.
- Using the shelter's name without asking. Get their written OK, and give exactly what you said you would.
- Posting a client's photo, or their pet photo, without asking. Get the yes in writing first.
- Promising a perfect likeness. Say you'll do your best from the photo. Tiny pieces can't hold every detail.
Keeping it going
- Make it yearly, or twice a year.
- Post healed pet pieces with the pet photo beside them (with OK). See C2.
- Keep the partners close. A groomer who likes you will keep handing out your card.
Want Annie's to do this for you? We can build your booking form that takes pet photos, make the flyers for vets and groomers, write the posts, and share the approved pieces afterward.