OCTOBER 2025 UPDATE: $3,200+ RAISED FOR HOPE!
We’re proud to share the results of our first Pet Portrait Tattoo Fundraiser for Hope Animal Rescue! Thanks to your incredible support, we more than doubled our original goal, raising over $3,200 for Hope.
Brian: “Tattooing things that people love and miss is really special. It’s hard to express how it makes you feel that people are choosing you to document these things that mean so much to them.”
Read more of our interview feature with Raleigh News & Observer: Pet tattoos offered at discount rate in Durham charity event aimed at dog shelter
What started as a plan to donate 2 custom pet portrait tattoos ultimately doubled…after receiving hundreds of heartfelt submissions, Brian decided to donate 4 custom black & grey realism pet portrait tattoos instead.
And some folks who weren’t selected for the donation-based tattoo still chose to get their pet tattooed and made donations to Hope anyway. That kind of generosity speaks volumes about this community.
Dog rescue is expensive, and rising veterinary costs are making it harder every year. Caring for medically complex dogs can cost thousands of dollars, and your donations go directly toward:
Heartworm treatments
Senior dental procedures
Spay/neuter surgeries
Vaccinations and preventatives
And everything else needed to place animals into safe foster homes
$3,200 goes a long way towards lifesaving care ❤️
Brian has already completed the first of the four portraits—stay tuned to Brian’s and Ethereal’s Instagram accounts, where we will share each of them! And while you’re at it, follow Hope Animal Rescue for endless cute dog content.
Thank you to everyone who submitted, donated, and supported this project in this first campaign!
-Brian and Annika
BRIAN IS ALWAYS BOOKING CUSTOM PET PORTRAITS, ALL YEAR ROUND. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK!
PET PORTRAITS FOR HOPE ANIMAL RESCUE
We’re teaming up with Hope Animal Rescue for a charity tattoo event
Brian Parrillo is offering two custom pet portrait tattoos (approx. 3–3.5 inches) at a discounted rate ($800). Instead of paying us, you’ll make a direct (tax-deductible!) donation to Hope Animal Rescue.
Details:
Black & grey realism in Brian’s style (see his pet portrait portfolio here)
Face/neck-up only (no full body)
Size: approx. 3–3.5 inches
Pricing: $800. Discounted compared to Brian’s normal rate (and your payment is a direct donation to Hope, so it is tax-deductible)
All species welcome!
How It Works:
Apply using the form below with clear, high-quality reference photos of your pet and your preferred tattoo placement (see guidelines below).
The form will stay open for about 2 weeks before we close it and review all submissions.
Brian will select two participants based on photo quality and placement. We’ll contact you by email.
If selected, you’ll make your donation directly to Hope Animal Rescue. We will confirm the donation with them, then we’ll book your appointment. Donations must be completed by September 15, 2025 and tattoos must be completed before December 31, 2025.
Why we chose Hope
Ethereal’s Shop Manager, Annika, worked in animal sheltering for years, and part of her job was finding rescue placement for dogs. Hope often took the dogs no one else would. They also take in many pit bulls, specifically. Brian’s and Annika’s first dogs, respectively, were pit bulls from shelters, and they now share a home with a pit bull, Hawthorn, and a cat, Eddie. Pit bulls are overrepresented in shelters and face many barriers to adoption, so partnering with a group that loves and advocates for them the way Hope does was an easy choice.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Brian will be choosing just two portraits for this promotion. Selection will be based on two main factors:
Reference Photo Quality (most important!)
The quality of your pet's reference photo is the biggest factor in being selected. Please attach the very best photo of your pet that meets these guidelines:
Good Lighting
Use natural light or bright, even indoor lighting. Avoid shadows, harsh contrasts, or overly dim settings. Especially if your pet has dark fur!
High Quality
The photo should be clear, sharp, and not blurry. Make sure the details of your pet’s fur, eyes, and features are easy to see.
Close-Up and Detailed
A close-up of your pet’s face is ideal, with the entire face visible and in focus. Photos that capture your pet’s unique expression or personality work best.
Tattoo Placement
Placement matters for how well the design will fit and heal. Brian’s favorite placement for portraits is the inner forearm because it provides a flat, even surface with great visibility and detail retention over time, but other options may work.
TIMELINE
Applications Open: August 19, 2025
Applications Close: August 31, 2025
Tattoo Must be Completed By: December 31, 2025*
*Donation Must be Made + Appointment Must Be Booked By: September 15, 2025
CHARITY PET PORTRAIT APPLICATION
Multiple Pets?
If you have more than one pet you’d like tattooed, you’re welcome to submit multiple application forms — one per pet — for consideration.
All Species Welcome
Dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, reptiles — if they’re your pet, they’re eligible for this promotion.