Here are National Geographic Rescue Ink Unleashed It’s a Cruel, Cruel World video and photos. The new series premieres on NGC on Friday, September 25, 2009 at 10 pm ET.

The highly anticipated program chronicles the work of Rescue Ink, a fascinating group of animal activists who strive to help abused and abandoned animals in the New York City Metro Area. The group members include security guards, club bouncers and a retired NYPD homicide detective who all have a common goal. With headquarters on Long Island, Rescue Ink members take an average of 100 calls a week; they are on call 24/7 taking on difficult cases involving animals in various plights which have endangered them such as intolerable living conditions or owners who abusive or ignorant about animal care.

Much more information on the program’s overview Web site including bios of all of the members: National Geographic Rescue Ink Unleashed Members of the group who are chronicled in the series include Angel, Batso, Big Ant, Des, Eric, George, Joe Panz and Johnny O.

Photo: Long Island, New York: Rescue Ink transforms this old ambulance into a hot-rod animal rescuing machine. (Photo Credit: NGT/JamesYoo)

As with the premiere episode of National Geographic Rescue Ink Unleashed, It’s a Cruel, Cruel world, viewers will essentially ride along as passengers following the Rescue Ink members throughout the New York Metro area as they rescue animals, and at times confront their abusers.

Regarding Rescue Ink, the NGC executive producer of the new series Kim Woodard said:

Photo: Rescue Ink’s Batso holds on to Ebony’s collar, an energetic yet sweet pit bull mix, while trying to find her a new home in Long Island, New York. (Photo Credit: NGT/Andrew Baxt)

“They are a group of homegrown rescuers who are doing things no other group was doing. We approached them and told them we thought they were doing something special … Not only do they take on cases no other group does, they go in and address animal abusers and educate them about what they should be doing differently. Because of their street smarts, they are able to talk to people in a different way and people are able to change their ways.”

Source: TCA Press Tour: National Geographic’s ‘Rescue Ink Unleashed’

For more background on the group, see the New York Times article from 2008 which first brought the group to the attention of National Geographic: Tattooed Bikers, a Dog’s Best Friends. Additionally, the group has a Web site: Rescue Ink and is on Twitter, MySpace, and Facebook.

Top photo: Members of Rescue Ink gather to discuss a game plan on how to catch a group of stray chickens running amok in Queens, New York. (Photo Credit: NGT/Andrew Baxt)

Videos are below.

Video “Rescue Ink: Preview” – Eight tattooed tough guys save New York’s animals from bad situations. They’re not afraid of using their brawn to bust abusers. Video Link

Video “Hungry Pit Bulls” – Kyle’s pit bulls are hungry and fierce. Can the Rescue Ink guys get through the door without losing a finger? Link: National Geographic Rescue Ink Unleashed: It’s a Cruel, Cruel World

Video “The Chicken Chase” – Chickens have been reaping havoc on a Queens neighborhood – and the residents are losing confidence in Rescue Ink. Video Link

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National Geographic Rescue Ink Unleashed: It’s a Cruel, Cruel World (Video, Photos)