Pug Rescue? For serious?

Today I saw this license plate: PUG RSQ. Pug Rescue? My first thought was, "Must be some rich bitch playing on the fact she has a few pugs at home, and thinks the rest of the world would care to read about it on her vanity plate." But it was on a pretty beat up truck with lots of "hippie stickers" (as my husband calls them) so there went my Rich Bitch Theory. I decided the plates probably were serious.

Now I ask you THIS: Do pugs really need rescuing?!?!?! Aging greyhounds, ex-fighter pitbulls, I can understand these dogs being abandoned and needing rescuing. Or any dogs that have been abandoned needing a home. But PUGS? What, do people decide they're just too ugly and can't handle the snotty-nosed breathing anymore? Enough people so we actually need entire organizations specifically devoted to saving the pug?!?!

This warranted more investigation. Apparently there are quite a few pug rescue organizations in the US. (Interestingly enough, all orgs in Utah have been disbanded. I guess when you have to keep up with several wives you don't have time to volunteer.) After perusing their sites, the main reason I could find is "abandonment", probably the main reason for any animal rescue. So why devote your time to just pugs? None of the organizations really hit on their reason for snubbing their nose at non-pug breeds. However, if you have a spare $350 or so, you can have a "rescued pug" of your very own. Maybe you'll love it enough to put it on your license plate.