Rescue Ink

It was a fast read and I read a good chunk of it on my commute to/from work, and another chunk on the elliptical at the gym. I finished the last few chapters over dinner. Obviously, I liked the book enough to not want to put it down. And once I finished it, I went to pick up my cat and snuggle with him because I needed to show him I loved him.

The stories in this book alternately broke my heart and gave me hope. I loved that the Rescue Ink guys are showing the world that animal lovers come in all shapes and sizes, and aren't all crazy cat ladies. I applaud their devotion and willingness to speak out, and their going above and beyond for animals. I was really impressed with the thoughtfulness they approached animal rescue, recognizing the reality of the world and that not every animal can be rescued, but the importance was improving the lives of the animals they can reach.… (mehr)

Story should come with "Animal Abuse Warning" sticker - if you can't handle descriptions of animal abuse, do NOT read this. Although it doesn't go in depth with the abuse it gives a clear enough picture to sicken sensitive readers (...ahem... me). The book is essentially a description of the Rescue Ink members, their backgrounds, childhood experiences, how they joined the group, and some of the rescues they've accomplished. I liked the book, I highly recommend it (with the caveat of the abuse descriptions as mentioned above) to anyone who likes a bit of the unusual with their reading experience.… (mehr)

I found this to be an incredibly inspiring book. Rescue Ink is a volunteer organization whose members are primarily united by tattoos, checkered pasts, and a love of animals. Rescue Ink investigates cases of animal cruelty (often the ones that others are too intimidated to take on) and does whatever it can to stop the abuse, including constructing free doghouses, extracting a trapped duck from a canal, and adopting unwanted dogs. Each chapter is based on a different member, and often they have shocking histories: one was ambushed and shot in the chest, one is a hard-bitten street detective, and one is a heavily tattooed Buddhist who makes his own soap. All of them are fascinating characters. Many of them deplore the fact that men who champion animal rights have a mysterious stigma attached to them; one says that "men are largely absent from animal rescue." However, when a member of Rescue Ink hoists a kitten on his tattooed muscular arm, no one's going to make a peep. And that is their greatest strength.… (mehr)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am a volunteer at a local shelter so I applaud this work anyway, but the fact that most of Rescue Ink is made up of guys who could have chosen to do more harm than good is inspirational. The work they do is good, but I think it is most important that they influence children and others that may cause harm in the future, to think twice before they make a bad decision. If they can serve as good role models in the lives of children who grow up thinking that an animal is disposable than they are performing an indispensable service to various communities they touch with their words. The book is full of stories of experiences that had an affect on the tough, apparently hardened men of the group. It makes clear to the reader that the men are softees at heart but that only makes them all the more determined to prevent abuse to the pets that they have saved, adopted into their own families or found foster homes for. The book is inspirational. I think most readers will want to make a contribution or get involved in the work themselves. The men are very approachable and the stories are filled with personal comments made by the guys. We learn a bit about their lives and how they became involved in animal rescue. I found myself very thankful knowing these guys were on the job and wondering too, if they would let me come and work with them. I think their presence in the field of animal rescue will encourage more men to become involved and less losers to abuse their animals, knowing who may show up at their door if they do.… (mehr)