SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — When Jessie Marzza and her husband opened Dark Harbor Tattoo Society, they knew they wanted to host some sort of fundraiser to benefit local non-profits.
The two love animals and figured raising money for animal shelters was the perfect fit.
On Saturday, the tattoo shop will host the fourth annual "Tats 4 Tails" event at its locations in Portland and South Portland to raise money for the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, the Animal Welfare Society, and Midcoast Humane.
Golden Scale Tattoo in Fairfield is also participating in the event which will begin at 11 a.m., with check-in starting at 10:30 a.m., though Marzza suggests getting there early since the line was out the door last year.
Customers can choose from a set of tattoo designs, which will vary by shop. Dark Harbor's Instagram page has posts of the tattoo options. Marzza said the artists will only be giving tattoos on clients' arms or legs and they will cost $100. Payments will be cash only.
You also don't need "new ink" to support the cause, Marzza added. People are encouraged to drop off items like pet food, pet toys, new blankets and towels, and other pet supplies.
Donations will be accepted at the participating tattoo shops and all Highbrow Dispensary locations across the state. Highbrow collaborated with Dark Harbor on a custom T-shirt for the event. All sales of the t-shirts will be donated to the animal shelters.
Artists like Roman Zakharyak, who worked the event last year at Dark Harbors' South Portland location, know Saturday will be busy. He said it's a great opportunity to meet new clients, make art, and help raise money for the animal shelters.
He said one of the "coolest parts" of his job is working with people to make their tattoo ideas come to life.
"A lot of people don’t realize how much of a collaboration the tattoo process is, people think it's all about the artist, or it's all about the client, but the reality is, when those things work together, that’s when you come up with the best stuff," Zakharyak added.
To learn more, check out the event's Facebook page here.