Serious cat lovers are constantly looking for new ways to display their affection. Photos, T-shirts and jewelry continue to be popular choices. But perhaps the ultimate homage is something more permanent — a cat tattoo.

With reality television shows like “Miami Ink” and “LA Ink” currently broadcasting into homes across the nation, tattoos are getting some new exposure. But tattoos — especially those of big cats — have been around for ages. “Black panthers have been a staple of traditional tattoo design since the early days of modern tattooing,” says Joy Rumore, who owns Twelve 28 Tattoo in Brooklyn, N.Y. “Many sailors adorned themselves with this kind of imagery, and many people today still come in to get panther tattoos.”

**Get the February 2008 issue of CAT FANCY to read the full article.**