Tattoo needles were buzzing for a good cause in Salem at State Street Tattoo on Dec. 30.

People eagerly waited alongside the building to get some fresh ink during its yearly tattoo and piercing fundraiser, which supports the animals at All About the Pawz, a dog rescue center in Austintown.

"We are trying to raise funds to maintain shelter, housing, food costs, vetting costs, just the basic needs for dogs that we are trying to get adopted," All About the Paws, volunteer Angi Westhead said. 

Six tattoo artists spent their day etching pet related tattoo designs on dozens of dog lovers who arrived ready to donate money and multiple bags of dog food.

Westhead told 21 News that the dog rescue is run strictly by volunteers and all of the proceeds from the fundraiser will be used for the care of abandoned dogs.

She said the need for additional funds is more urgent this year, as they grapple with an overwhelming number of strays seeking shelter and nourishment.

"This year has been very rough for dog rescue. We are overwhelmed with the amount of dogs we are trying to save [and] trying to get adopted." Westhead said.

The event offers two different raffles for customers who donate to the cause. The tattoo raffle is one ticket for every 5 pounds of dog food donated unopened, sealed, and non-expired. 
The second raffle is a piercing raffle and tickets are available for $5. The more tickets that are purchased the more piercings and or jewelry will be given away. The event runs until 9 p.m. 
Click here for a full rundown of tattoo prices.