Animal Welfare Professionals

Seeking Advice on Preventing Burnout: Caring for 150+ Animals with a Small Staff

As a team of six dedicated individuals, we're facing a significant challenge in caring for over 150 animals. Despite our best efforts, we're struggling to stay afloat, and it's taking a toll on our well-being. We're seeking advice and strategies on how to prevent burnout and maintain the quality of care we provide to our animals.

Our Situation:

• We're caring for over 150 animals, which is a significant responsibility
• Our staff consists of six people, with hours cut as low as possible without sacrificing the quality of care
• We rely heavily on volunteers, but they're becoming scarce
• Many of us have had to take on additional jobs just to make ends meet in our own homes

Specific Challenges:

• Prioritizing tasks and managing workload effectively
• Dealing with the emotional toll of caring for so many animals
• Finding ways to provide adequate care with limited resources
• Balancing our own well-being with the demands of our roles

We're Looking For:

• Strategies for prioritizing self-care and reducing stress
• Ideas for streamlining processes and increasing efficiency
• Suggestions for recruiting and retaining volunteers
• Tips for maintaining a positive work environment and teamwork
• Resources or services that can help us manage stress and find balance

If you've faced similar challenges or have expertise in this area, we'd love to hear your advice and experiences.

Please Share Your Thoughts!

What do you think is the most pressing issue we're facing? How would you approach preventing burnout in our situation? What strategies have you used in the past to manage stress and prioritize self-care? Share your insights, advice, and experiences to help us find a way forward!