Some quick thoughts on the article:

I think the author may be correct in some instances, but not many instances. Some "needy" people may have to rescue, but I think the majority of rescuers are not those people. My thoughts on abuse are following.

I think most who rescue or who work in rescue have a genuine love of animals. In my case, it is the German Shepherd Dog breed. If there is something I can do to prevent the death of an unwanted GSD by letting one live with me for a little while, I will do it...for the love of the breed. If I have room in my home and heart, why not adopt a dog on death row? No, we don't have to adopt one on death row, but why not? Why not save a life?

In the case of abuse..not all dogs put in shelters or rescue are physically abused, but just the dumping of them at the shelter (taken away from their family, their home, their shelter and placed in a noisy, scary, unfamiliar place) is mental abuse in my book. And there ARE those who are abused...Those that weigh 69 lbs. when they should weigh 110, with sores all over their body were abused by neglect. Those that dig themselves into the floor when you raise a hand or your voice at them were abused.

No, rescuers are not heroes to themselves. They are heroes to the dogs that don't die that day, those that are transported to a new, loving home, those that are retrained to fit in their future homes.

Being a rescue is NO EXCUSE for being allowed to run loose and uncontrolled or untrained!!! I don't see a lot of people who do that, however. Many rescue groups REQUIRE obedience training as part of the adoption contract. They also do a follow up on it.

Just a few thoughts, IMHO.