Animal Welfare Professionals

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  • 1.  Rescue

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 03-26-2023 08:11 AM
    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    Hi all. 

    I've been struggling with the idea of closing my rescue after 2 years that we did great

    We had amazing team, we have protocols in place for everything, we were so proud of what we created in such a short time, saving over 300 dogs from the streets and euthanize list in a southern State bringing to the  north and finding homes

    In the last few months people start feeling burned out, started new jobs, health issue and so on. With each person leaving the work falls on me. We did manage to recruit very few to help but it's not the same. 

    I can decide to close the rescue and move on with my life. But I keep seeing those dogs we saved, knowing that they wouldn't have a chance if not us, doesn't let me do it

    I posted for volunteers but it didn't work out. 

    What i wish to find is a second person who will be my partner, who be willing to be my other half in everything rescue

    Where should I look for this special person? How can I find him/her?  


    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)



  • 2.  RE: Rescue

    Posted 03-26-2023 10:00 AM

    Do you have a board? If so ask them to step up tell them how you are feeling! If you do not have a board while I cannot tell you how but definitely build one. If not reach out to your rescue friends tell them, you are struggling with burn out hopefully some of them will give you some local ideas or just help you out! A member from another rescue helps me clean monday and tuesday. If you have a facility, get businesses or organizations (like clubs or fraternities) to come out walk dogs do all the "housekeeping" like yard work painting etc. Anyone you bring on make sure you are paying close attention to burnout. If you feel as if they are struggling, give them a couple days off. One thing our shelter does are monthly lunches. While these are employees, they still see hard stuff every day. This is a chance for them to relax for an hour and eat good food. Hope this helps!!



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    Rachel Aune
    Board Member
    Friends of Mobile animal shelter
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Rescue

    Posted 03-27-2023 04:33 AM

    Morning,

    Thank you for what you do and I can understand and relate to what you are going through 100%.

    It is clear you are in a difficult spot - take care of yourself, or take care of the animals, and it is totally mental torment as you feel so guilty even thinking about closing down, but you know deep down, that is what you  need to do for "you", even if it is just for a few months.

    What I would suggest is pulling right back, get into a situation where you only do what you can deal with on your own, even if it means just saving one dog/cat, getting that pet in their forever home and then get another. You can't force people to want to help and as much as people might be all fired up one week, they have no interest the next and then you are stuck and in that never ending position of being on your own, let down and struggling. You don't want to start resenting people as they are letting you down.

    It is not clear what kind of set up you have - if it is foster based, or you have a building, but either way if you just do what you can, promote what you are doing on social media and let people come to you. Then you can start ramping things back up - maybe a little slower - the situation in the animal welfare world is horrendous right now and I personally do not see if getting any better. As much as we all "ignore" that well known saying - "To take care of others, you must take care of yourself", it is so true. If you carry on the way you are, burn out is going to make you ill, physically and mentally and then the animals in your care are going to be an issue and you might not be able to pick up again, so you have recognized your situation and have reached out for help - which is fantastic and the first step.

    Good luck and do what you can, without destroying yourself.

    Jen



    ------------------------------
    Jenny Cope - Fear Free Certified
    President/Founder
    Give a Dog a Home Rescue
    Greater Goods Charities - GOODS Program Ambassador
    501c3 Non- Profit Corp, Tax ID/EIN 27-5241306
    State of Maine Shelter/Rescue Licence # F1463
    State of Maine Registered Charity: CO11334
    https://giveadogahome.rescuegroups.org/
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Rescue

    Posted 03-27-2023 05:08 AM

    My sense is you are a pretty small group doing a lot of operation work.  It is ok to pull back and take a break.  If you organization is small create a situation where you have "seasons".  You assist the community for 3 months, then rest for a month or two?  When emergency vet clinics and vet practices get full they either go on diversion or don't take on new clients.  I think especially small organizations need some sort of a solution like this.  During your "rest" period you can catch up, work on admin, volunteer recruiting training, board work and recovery.  Try this as a pilot project- if it doesn't work you can always close or merge with another organization.   Just a thought...



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    Stacy LeBaron
    Head Cat
    The Community Cats Podcast
    Warren VT
    978-239-2090
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Rescue

    Posted 03-27-2023 08:03 AM

    Greetings

    Sounds like you have a lot of real world in the streets experience and 300 victories to your credit: bravo! I, too have come to the conclusion that no one can do this alone, and as they told us in our training at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, "You have to find your people".  Now, you're looking for "your people".  I recently have joined with a one person rescue and am looking for more of us. I'd love to chat with you and see if our futures might head in the same direction. If this interests you, please contact me so we can discuss it further.

    Cherie Erwin

    cherieerwin@yahoo.com



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    Cherie Erwin
    Student
    Southern Utah University
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Rescue

    Posted 03-27-2023 07:43 PM

    It warms my heart to see so many people respond and made suggestions for your heartfelt situation. I adopted my dog 10 years ago from a high-kill shelter in Southern California so I get it.  Thank you for saving so many dogs from the streets and euthanasia list. I like the idea of pulling back and working in seasons per Jenny and Stacy to give you time to find your people as suggested by Cherie.  Another option is to join another organization as mentioned by Stacy. While you scale back, perhaps foster a few pups.  I am a trainer and I offer behavior services without charge to fosters I often marvel at their dedication and compassion toward these homeless pups. We would be in trouble without fosters. I understand why it is so hard to get volunteers. Saving dogs is hard on the heart. Good Luck!



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    Julielani Chang
    The Life of Kai: Compassion Connections Inc.
    Davis CA
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Rescue

    Posted 03-28-2023 04:06 PM

    Hi. I wonder if limiting your service to a specific area would help. 



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    Donna Brown
    Garden City Community Cats Project
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Rescue

    Posted 03-29-2023 11:47 AM

    I'm guessing you are in an area where you do not have a huge population to tap for help.  I would suggest two avenues for starters: Area churches are full of people who care about suffering, so contact local pastors and ask to speak to the congregations or post something in the church newsletter.  Another source of help is the local high school.  Several student organizations encourage volunteer work (Beta Club, FFA, FTA, 4H, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, etc.).  Also check out area Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts troops of teenaged members.



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    Charlotte W Craig
    Animal Welfare Alliance
    Poplar Bluff, MO
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Rescue

    Posted 03-29-2023 07:31 PM

    Girl Schout and Boy Scouts are great ideas.  High Schools that require community service helps too



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    Laura Coan
    Volunteer
    Novastar Rescue
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    Original Message


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