Brandee was tatood at the shelter once she was spayed. I thought it was kind of extreme to do to prove that she was altered, but I had no choice. I thought a certificate would suffice. They explained to me that it'll save her an "exporatory" surgery if she's ever lost and rehomed. And, it was done while she was under anesthesia. I can't imagine it being done while she was awake! So, in that instance, I guess I kind of see why it's necessary, but now days, who would even think to look for the stupid tatoo? It's burried under her fur! They probably wouldn't find it until they had her on the table and were getting ready to shave her for the surgery. The more I type, the more I see that I'm on the fence about tattoos as a means of alter notifications. I'm totally against it for fashion sake...piercing too. Stupid, stupid, stupid!