Parents' Guide to

Rescue Ink Unleashed

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Unlikely animal heroes spread message of acceptance.

TV National Geographic Channel Reality TV 2009
Rescue Ink Unleashed Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

Eight hardened New Yorkers wage war on animal abuse in RESCUE INK UNLEASHED. The unlikely activists are a brawny, street-wise, tattooed bunch -- but it's the guys' fierce love of animals that makes them truly terrifying to the offenders they confront. The self-appointed \"Army for animals\" fields 100 calls a week and investigates claims of cruelty, neglect, and abandonment, rescuing and relocating the most severe cases and using tough-talking \"encouragement\" to persuade neglectful owners to change their ways.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Like its eclectic band of stars, this reality series is a diamond in the rough. On paper, the concept seems like just another extreme attempt to cash in on reality TV's popularity, but these eight men -- who joined forces before their story became TV-worthy -- are the real deal when it comes to their passion, and their experiences are at different times heartbreaking, inspirational, and laughable.

Viewers will be struck by the contrast between the guys' soft hearts and their intimidating physiques. And the show's feel-good messages about the importance of strong character vs. surface appearances are present everywhere. The Rescue Ink gang's salty language ("damn" and "hell" are used a lot, while "s--t," "bitch," and "f--k" are bleeped) and discussions of animal cruelty and violence between people makes it iffy for younger viewers, but teens and adults will be inspired by the rescue team's labor of love.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about humans' relationship with animals. Teens: What responsibilities do pet owners have toward their pets? What are the rewards of having a pet?

  • How does the show promote acceptance? Teens: Have you ever made incorrect assumptions about someone based on their appearance? Why are we often swayed by physical appearances? What are the risks of that?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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