Rescue Ink: How Ten Guys Saved Countless Dogs and Cats, Twelve Horses, Five Pigs, One Duck,and a Few Turtles

by Rescue Ink, Denise Flaim

The true story of ten tough and tattooed bikers who rescue animals in danger

Using their combined 1700 pounds of muscle, Joe, Johnny O, Batso, Big Ant, G, Angel, Eric, Des, Bruce and Robert stop at nothing within the bounds of the law to save animals, be they furred, feathered, or scaled, from life-or-death situations throughout the New York City metropolitan area.

Working from tips from concerned neighbors and anonymous sources, they have rescued countless animals, including a dognapped bulldog and 180 cats from the home of a hoarder. In between rescues, they've protested the barbaric practices of a horse slaughterhouse, visited schools to educate children about animal kindness and that "abusers are losers," and participated in Puppy Mill Awareness Day in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Former Newsday writer Denise Flaim chronicles their adventurous tales, detailing just what these brawny bikers, who will stop at nothing within the bounds of the law, can teach us all about respecting the creatures in our midst.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Biography, Memoir, Audiobook, Cats, Dogs

244 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 5 out of 5]

You ever walk somewhere and draw funny looks? You ever looked up from eating a fabulous steak dinner in a real nice restaurant and just stop mid chew because the couple across the aisle won't stop blatantly staring at you? Or maybe somebody has looked at you like you imagine they would look at Ted Bundy? I have a couple of tattoos and I get these looks everytime I wear a tank top. I can imagine how these big, tattoed bikers feel. Meet Big Ant, G, Batso, Johnny O, Eric, Des, Joe, Robert, Bruce, Angel, and the lone female, Mary. These ten heavily tattoed New York bikers (and Mary) have set out to show the world that loving animals is cool. It doesn't make you less of man. Or less of a biker. While rescuing numberous dogs, cats, pigs, horses, and ducks these guys are also showing the more ignorant folks out there that bikers are not bad. If people quit judging others on appearance alone, they may be surprised at what is under the skin.

I like this. I like these guys' stories. I got a good laugh every now and then, especially with the pig round up. I respect what these guys are trying to do, save the animals one dog or pig at a time. When they can't coax an owner to part with a neglected pet, they build a dog house for it. When families cannot afford to spay or neuter, these guys find a vet to do it for free. When they are not rescuing pets, they are visiting schools and talking to troubled kids or spreading the word and their phone numbers to encourage people to report animal abuse.

I hope there is a sequel. This was about getting to know the guys and their stories. What childhood experiences made them what they are today? Why do they care so much about animals? What made them start this group? And of course, there are rescue stories. I hope there is another, or even a series of books for those of us that don't get the National Geographic channel. I understand they have a show coming out.

Thumbs up, Rescue Ink.

[Susan (aka Just My Op) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. Rescue Ink breaks some of the stereotypes about those involved in animal rescue and about tough, tattooed bikers. I think that this contradiction of expected behavior is the best thing about the book.

The perception is that women are the tenderhearted ones who rescue animals – everyone knows that. And for the most part, that is true. Apparently, someone forgot to mention it to this group of mostly big, heavily inked bikers. And they are not above using the intimidation factor to get what they want when it comes to rescuing an abused or neglected animal.

I applaud the mission and dedication of these guys. The stories are interesting, sad, sometimes with joyful endings. It hurts to even read some of them. Still, they are not stories much different that other rescuers and people who read about them have seen or read too many times. The strength in this book, and in this group of unlikely rescuers, is the message it sends. Big, strong guys can be compassionate. Abusing and neglecting animals makes a person weaker, takes away from his humanity rather than adding to it, and owning a big, tough dog does not make anyone a tough person. Rescue Ink, both the book and the group, is getting that message out to anyone who will listen. As all of us readers have learned, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, whether literally or when seeing a biker holding a newborn kitten.

Animal rescue in any form is a hard job, and these guys are as good at it as the proverbial little old lady in sneakers, sometimes better. One quote about rescuers that hit home for me:

More than the anger and frustration at seeing animals discarded like fast-food wrappers, more than the sadness at seeing dogs that are starved or ripped up in dogfighting “practice,” the most dangerous side effect is weariness.

The book is not great literature and doesn't pretend to be, but is a worthwhile and touching read for anyone who loves animals. The pictures make it all the more real. There is apparently a series about the group on National Geographic Channel, but I haven't seen it.

[Steph C · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book really frustrated me. It resorted to really misogynistic language. I know there is a certain intriguing allure to the notion of a bunch of burly tattooed guys rescuing animals, but the author delved into problematic territory. Here is a copy of the letter I wrote to the author. Needless to say she did not respond.
Dear Ms. Flaim,
I picked up a copy of your book Rescue Ink at my local library with great enthusiasm. However the stories of triumph and compassion have been overshadowed by the need to insert comedic banter at the expense of LGBT folks and women. As I fall into both of these categories, this is quite offensive, especially coming from an animal rescue book which should be just about the animals. From "the joke about the gay midget" to "the fag bag" to constantly stressing the guys' traits as opposite to women's and decidedly manly, this book has left me disappointed and sad. You could have left all this out and the stories of the animals and the guys would have come through just the same. We get that they're tough guys but homophobic and misogynistic comments have no place in this book. A real shame and disappointment.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, although at times my inner feminist wanted to bash out of it's inner sanctum to the massive amount of "testosterone" references made within the book. But how can one argue with a bunch of guys who are helping animals? It is hard, and I have to say I appreciate what these guys do and the way in which they do it. I love their tag line "Abusers are loser" and am glad that there are people out there that will do what has to be done to take care of those animals.

The book itself was an easy read. Each persons story is broken into a different chapter so it is easy to pick up at different times. I have heard that if you watch the show it is a little repetitive, but as someone who hasn't seen the show I enjoyed it.

I would recommend this book to any animal lover out there.

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. My copy has post-it notes and paper sticking out of it, mostly quotes I haven't collected yet. What those guys do for animals - and people - is nothing short of amazing. This book is a joy to read, although it does have its dark spots.
These guys go well beyond the call of duty (that they never had in the first place - no one paid them to start rescuing animals); the fact that they love pitbulls and similar dogs only makes me like them more. Reading about the rescuers' pasts helps further the connection between the reader and them. There was one slur, on page 176, near the bottom of the page; it was not directed at a person. Being a part of the LGBTQ+ community, the slur didn't exactly make me happy, but I just sighed, grumbled a bit, and moved on.
Anyone who loves animals should read this book!

[E.A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Its about tatted burly guys going to rescue animals in New York and nearby places, and their struggle with their own lives. It gives you details of these guys' lives and who they were before they started saving animals. Its basically an inspirational book to "rougher" people that- no matter how much of a bad ass you are, compassion is still in your nature, and you can do so much good with that, and sometimes you just might need that bad ass in you to come out to help persuade people to stop abusing animals. :)

[Edmund Davis-Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read. Reading at a friend's house so read it faster. You need a big heart and a tough constitution to do this rescue work. We need as a society to be better to animals.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating account of how muscular, tattooed, motorcyclists formed a group to help abused animals!

[Shannon Donley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author’s purpose in writing her book, Rescue Ink, was to inform readers about the cruelty that is done to animals. This book offers guidance on how to go about a situation involving abusing animals and how a group of “ten guys have saved countless dogs and cats, twelve horses, five pigs, one duck, and a few turtles.” No matter who a person may be, anyone can help save an animal’s life. Denise Flaim, the author, gets in personal with these guys and learns their techniques on how they get the job done.
Looking at these guys, one would think they are in a gang, only ride motorcycles, and go to bars every night. You cannot judge a book by its cover. These guys do look hardcore, and they are, but that feature actually helps them in the long run. They use the ‘in your face’ technique and are not afraid of what they are up against. These ten men have huge hearts and do not stand any tolerance for abusing an innocent animal.
This book is incredibly captivating. Each chapter talks about one of the men and their role in Rescue Ink. Rescue Ink pushes some boundaries and does not hold back. The author wants the readers to know exactly what is going on and how badly this crime of abusing animals has escalated. Each man has a different role in operations. For instance, Batso, whose birth name is Nicholas Maccharoli Sr., has a deep love for dogs. He is the oldest of the group but has the biggest heart in my eyes. He had a tough childhood and what I got from reading about him, is that he knows exactly what these animals are going through. His inner abused-self kicks in, and that is when he does everything in his nature to put a stop to it. “Once you get involved with animals, it’s gonna calm you down and make you relax, and make you forget about a lot of things.”
Joe Panz is technically the leader of Rescue Ink. He was the one who started the organization. He gets very angry about the subject of abuse to animals but when he is truly enraged he is like the stillness before a tornado. He uses the ‘in your face’ technique to its full extent and gets the answers to questions no matter what. When he was called to Long Island on a report that a man kept his three dogs in a car all day for the past few months, Joe was there without hesitation. There is no niceness, just direct questions; “Would you want to be stuck in a car with the windows open this much?”... He demanded of the homeowner. “That’s what I’m asking you- would you want that?”
Something great about how this book is written, is that it is narrated but is written as if the guys of Rescue Ink were talking straight to you. The reader can really feel the emotion from these men and for me, it made me want to go out and do something worthwhile. This book encourages people to take a stand for those creatures who do not have a voice. It is emotional, but has great meaning and joy in every sentence.

[Xanthi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this one on audiobook. As someone who has worked in animal rescue and care, I can attest to the fact that there are more women than men working or volunteering in this field, which I think is rather a poor reflection on that gender. The fact that these guys banded together to do good is a wonderful thing. A bit of muscle and toughness is needed when it comes to rescue work. There really should be more men like these on board with rescue groups.
The book provides the backstories of the members of this group. Most come from harsh backgrounds - poverty, violence, unstable home lives, brushes with the law, etc. The fact they took their life experiences and used it as a force to protect the most vulnerable members of our society (animals), is a very fine thing indeed. Perhaps for some, being exposed to hard lives and abuse motivates them to make sure that others (be they dogs, cats, etc) don't have to go through the same things. Instead of letting their pasts dictate their futures and perhaps keep a vicious cycle going, these guys have broken out and doing good. Hats off to them for that!
There are quite a few stories in this book about lost, abused or neglected dogs. The most gut wrenching ones are about the pitbulls. BSL is also discussed and it was timely for me to read this book, as Lennox in Northern Ireland was just killed by the Belfast City Council after being seized from his home and family.
It should be noted that there are happy stories in this book and some thoughtful and inspiring passages. Also, there is much practical advice, especially towards the end of the book.
All in all, a good book to read, about a great organization. There is just one thing, though, that irks me - the repeated use of the word 'animal lover'. What these men and this group is about it rescuing and caring for pets/companion animals. Too many people say they are 'animal lovers' and yet eat them and by way of that condone their murder and suffering. (factory farms are a hotbed of pain, suffering and abuse for billions of animals.) Whilst I think these guys are awesome for what they do, I do hope that they come to the realization that the pig/cow/ chicken etc is as much of a sentient being as the dog/cat/horse and can suffer just as much. Until this day, may they refer to themselves or be called pet lovers and not animal lovers.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of animal rescue, so this book appealed to me greatly. The attention-grabber about the Rescue Ink crew is that they look like a bunch of tough biker dudes and many people might not expect the softer side of them and their devotion to the animals. However, the guys' appearance works to their benefit, as they use it to their advantage to influence people who are mistreating their pets to consider other alternatives, though Rescue Ink doesn't resort to violence.
Each of the guys is featured in a chapter which also details at least one rescue that the featured rescuer played a major role in. My favorite chapter was the first, where the guys tracked down a stolen English bulldog and returned her to her anxious owner. That said, I didn't lose interest in the book just because the bulldog chapter was first. In fact, even the ones which featured cat rescues, which normally wouldn't be as interesting to me, kept me intrigued as I learned about the dynamic of the organization.
The pictures in the center of the book were a welcome addition, as they helped to match names with faces, and also showed the animals involved in the chapters, from the aforementioned bulldog, to a pit bull used as a bait dog whose ears were nearly shredded off. While the photos are not graphic, they are powerful enough to show the importance of what Rescue Ink does.
Overall, I found it to be a very well-written book, no complaints. I do wish our cable company carried the channel that shows a Rescue Ink TV show, though this book is a couple years old, and I'm not sure if the show still airs. I would definitely watch, as I admire the work they do, though I imagine the TV show could be quite depressing, while the book was not.

[Debbie is on Storygraph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first heard of Rescue Ink a few days ago on a forum on Ravelry. I ran across this book at the Borders store closing sale but passed it over despite the cheap price. This past weekend, I went to a discount bookstore (as if I needed more books!) and there was this book, yet again. I sighed and gave into fate and added the book to my pile.

This morning, I needed a book for the train and impulsively grabbed this on the way out the door. 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. Of the three animals I have, he is the only rescue (the two rabbits I got from 4-H breeders), and I think he knew I was his forever home since he emphatically picked me at the adoption center (or he just knows a sucker when he sees one).

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.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

What do you get when a group of 10 muscled and tattooed bikers set their mind to rescuing abused animals? Results! This is the story of Rescue Ink, a group of tough guys who decided that rescuing animals is cool. Their rough backgrounds and street creed give them a unique approach to rescue. Rescue Ink is unafraid to take on the biggest bullies and they jump at the chance to confront the worst abusers. What surprised and impressed me is that they are careful to stay within the bounds of the law and work well with local law enforcement and animal control groups. They often try to help negligent owners by building better doghouses, transporting animals to veterinary care, or helping with food costs. In the world of animal rescue, the negligent owner is automatically assumed to be evil, these guys work hard to educate and help the people as well as the animals. There are the expected heartstring tugging stories – the badly abused pit bull that became the clubhouse dog, the poodle stolen when its owner was sent overseas in the armed forces recovered, and the standard cat stuck in a tree.
Listening to this audio was a pleasant way to pass a few hours. Rescue Ink will renew your faith in humans a little.

[Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up late last night to finish the last 100 or so pages. I see this book is consistently recommended for animal lovers. While I agree this is an animal loving story, it is not the perfect book for this one.

I'm possibly the most soft hearted animal lover in the world. I cry when I accidentally step on snails. Well, maybe not cry, but I have severe remorse. It's a horrible way to live, btw. You try swerving around frogs on a rainy night in Louisiana.

This book made me cry. Almost exclusively from start to finish. It was bad. Just blubbering, non stop.

This book is beautiful. Not only for the incredible stories of animal love and rescue, but also for the profiles of each one of the men (and one woman) involved in Rescue Ink itself. I will be in New York next month, and I've already informed my caretaker up there that I desperately want to find these guys and hug each and every one of them.

The stories are just horrifying. These guys may be big and burly and scary looking, but they have remarkable anger management. I don't think I could be as strong as they are, and I don't mean my much less substantial muscle mass.

But the stories with positive endings, such as Ribbon or Spike, made all the sobbing worth it.

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only reason I am giving this a 3 out of 5 is because I felt it could have been more, not sure what, but more.

Rescue Ink tells the story of the men and woman (Mary) behind the foundation of Rescue Ink. Rescue Ink is a tight group of tattoo-ed bikers who have more than that in common. Each of them feels that animal abuse is wrong and have an "in your face" attitude about it. They feel that the animal abusers need to be addressed as well as the animals themselves.

The book is told in chapters which revolve around the people involved in Rescue Ink. It tells of the abuse that animals have received and how they took care of the issue. It amazes me how a dog with severe burns can lick a rescuer even thought they are in pain, only animals would do this. There are tales of abused animals and why they are abused or neglected.

I am not a fan of the television show because these guys are so in your face. However, I enjoyed reading how these guys are taking care of animals in a non-stereotypical fashion. I do wish they provide a line up photo of the guys and their names. Since I don't watch the show, I had to guess who went with who.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have recently been getting more and more involved in the grassroots rescue organizations, and stumbled upon this book at the library. I immediately took it off the shelf because I was drawn to the tattoos, burly men and pits (a breed I have a soft spot for), but I was immediately drawn into the story. The guys are actually based here on Long Island, so I particularly enjoyed it because I knew every town they were talking about, and it was cool to hear about the efforts of the shelters and clinics that I have actually been to. Even more special, is that I got to meet them two weeks ago at an event here on the Island, and got them to sign the book. The work they do is great, I couldn't gush enough about them as individuals. Their show on the National Geographic Channel actually chronicles many of these stories. The show even managed to capture the happy ending of the case of an elderly man abusing animals and harassing neighbors, by showing how Rescue Ink outsmarted him and testified against him in court. While a lot of the stories can be seen in the episodes, it's a great introduction to each of the guys, their backgrounds, and how Rescue Ink came to be. Highly recommend it!

[Tabitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

All in all, a really great book about an unconventional group of animal rescuers. Sometimes what you really need in life is a horde of extremely selfless manly-men. This book gives some back story on the various members of Rescue Ink and shares some of their formative, animal-loving stories.
Some of the stories are a little hard to read considering the content. It isn't overly graphic, but you can fill in the blanks pretty easily. Fortunately the book mostly focuses on success stories. There are loads of happy endings and 'forever-homes' discusses here. Overall the book gives off the same vibe the guys want to; it is tough and maybe a little hard to take at times, but still very positive in the end.
In addition to the stories, the book also contains tips for adoption, finding lost pets and basic pet care. There are few specifics, but they at least point a curious reader in the right direction.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

It would have been very difficult to make this a bad book. You would have needed an extremely inept author. Denise Flaim is not an inept author. She's not an especially skilled one either, but she didn't have to be to make this a wonderful book. The story and the characters shine through the clumsy writing and low-level but persistent casual sexism. My only other caveat would be the remarkably shallow, one-sided and naive treatment of TNR given, but as that wasn't at all the point of the book, I'm not too upset.

Rescue Ink is a group that bills itself as taking an "in-your-face" approach to animal abuse. And, let's face it, there is something irresistibly appealing about a bunch of big, burly, tattooed, macho guys running around rescuing defenseless animals. You can't help but love them. This is an extremely interesting book, one that gives you hope in humanity and the whole world.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book okay. I think it presents a realistic picture of the world of animal rescue and some of the problems faced by individuals or organizations trying to make a difference. Though I generally attend best to stories (whether fiction or nonfiction), I think the chapter I liked the best in this book was the last one that is resources. They take the time to explain and outline where to go to get a pet responsibly. They explain what it means for someone to be a “reputable breeder” and how to know if someone is one. They explain what to do if you pet gets loose/lost. I thought it was a very useful section and that its inclusion illustrated the responsibility the group advocates, giving them additional credibility.

[Debbie Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Book

Really appreciate this book. We've always had dog's so obviously we love them all. Right now I'm restricted to two & they're precious. I appreciate the dedication this group has to helping as many animals as possible & growing they're resources & volunteers. Also. The stories are woven in & out along with the back stories of each of the members of the group. The information about how to search for a lost pet, searching for your next forever companion & not supporting the puppy mills or pet stores. Ready for the next edition & more stories! Thank you for everything y'all do.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! And even more so because it’s true. Such an inspirational group of people, such wonderful acts of love and kindness toward animals. Mostly heartwarming, sometimes funny and sometimes heartbreaking; a good balance of stories; I’m sure there are so many more, the book could just keep on going and I wanted it to. After the story of Rescue Ink, the author went on to give a variety of advice about choosing pets, reporting abuse, etc. i promise to check out their website. There. Now I’m committed. 🐶🐱🐰🐴🐷🐤🐢

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd give this book 4 stars for the subject matter, which is about how a group of "tough guys" with tender hearts go all out to rescue animals. It's bittersweet, because the work they're doing is so wonderful, but the fact that there are so many abused animals is tragic.
I'd give it 3 1/2 stars for the writing. It's a quick, enjoyable read.

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

TW: some of the descriptions of abuse are quite graphic; homo- and trans-phobic slurs

[Debbie Mcnally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this Audio book from the library. Great book wish there were more people like Rescue Ink.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The work that this group does is wonderful.

[CONNIE BALTHROP · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has really good stories and tells you the story behind each person in the group.

[Terry Filkohazi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome bunch of people who dedicated their lives to saving animals from abuse.
"Abusers are losers"

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true story about big tattooed guys saving all kinds of animals. Some parts are very sad but in all these guys are awesome!

[Linda Ballenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book . Great guys .

[Tabatha Shipley · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I Didn’t Like:
-Difficult subject matter. Honestly, you’re dealing with stories about animals who were abused or neglected. Happy endings or not, that’s not always easy to hear about.
-Random jumps. The story jumps from one person to another or one case to another rather quickly. While this is pretty typical of some memoirs, it’s jarring.
-No sense of resolution. Which, of course, led me to look up what happened with Rescue Ink and find that they’re no longer a practicing rescue organization. So not only is it no real sense of resolution … it’s literally none!

What I Did Like:
-Adorable pictures and great stories of animals getting second chances for good, happy homes.
-Undercurrent theme that anyone can make a difference, which is a great theme! Loved how that was explored.
-Pictures in the middle of the book, which I don’t always love, were great! I love animals and this was a fun way to see if how you pictured the little guys was accurate.

The Verdict: 3 stars. This one is pretty niche. If you can’t handle animal stories or have no interest in Rescue Ink you simply won’t like this story. If, however, this sounds like something you might like, the book is well written!