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SHELTER BURN OUT
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SHELTER BURN OUT - 5/6/2008 4:21:43 PM
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sheltergal
Posts: 1
Joined: 5/6/2008
Status: offline
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 Anyone experiencing "burn out" working in a shelter? I would like to talk to others who may be going through this as our job is not easy. One of the conferences I attend had a session with "professional" which was very powerful and I don't think shelter workers such as myself talk enough about the grief.
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RE: SHELTER BURN OUT - 5/8/2008 5:19:37 PM
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Guest
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Yes, burnout is common. Because no matter how many animals you help, more come. And the sad stories just get to you. I know when I am burned out; I start losing my temper
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RE: SHELTER BURN OUT - 5/12/2008 4:28:17 PM
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Guest
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There is a book called compassion fatigue put out by the humane society. I just started reading it and they classify the burnout as a for of post traumatic stress syndrome. I also get very cranky and lose my patience with people. I have recently cut back on how much I do. I also make sure i get time to myself and try not to feel guilty over all the phone calls i get about animals i cant help. Its hard but it gets easier to say no after a while. You have to put yourself first. Otherwise youll quit and the animals wont have you there for them. So its better just to limit what you can do. As far as havign to euthanize and see cruelty you just have to do the best you can, its never going to stop and seems to get worse all the time. So far I am pleased with the book. You shoudl try to read it as well.
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RE: SHELTER BURN OUT - 7/11/2008 8:08:18 PM
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trusport
Posts: 1
Joined: 7/11/2008
Status: offline
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It seems to me if you are experiencing compassion fatigue that should at least indicate you have a heart for the animals. I have worked in two shelters over the past 15 years, it got so bad for me that I became totally absorbed, couldn't sleep nights, no desire to eat, physically depleted, not to mention breaking out in tears for no apparent reason. That was a long time ago, no one had ever heard of compassion fatigue from shelter workers. When I tried to talk to family or close friends they would suggest to find another line of work, but I just couldn't even though I tried.
Each of us has our own way to cope with the problem, what works for you may not work for me.
Give what you can of yourself and thanks to people like us these poor forgotten animals have at least someone who can give them love, respect and compassion if only for a short while.
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RE: SHELTER BURN OUT - 8/25/2008 8:26:55 AM
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Guest
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I have worked at our shelter for 2 years now, almost since it has opened. We serve 3 counties and get around 250-300 animals a month. We have 22 dogs runs, 14 puppy/small dog cages and 16 cat cages. Some weeks are slow and others it seems like all we do is euthanize. We find rescues for some of the dogs and puppies, but a lot do not go. Big dogs are euthanized the most, puppies rarely, and cats are frequently, especially in the spring and summer. I love cats the most and it's hard having to euthanize them. It sucks because there are not cat rescues available. They are all too full. My burnout has to do with my director. He's an arse, he doesn't seem to care for the animals at all. He is good at the business end, but not the animals. We gave an animal that just received an abdominal injection a towel. He told us it was a waste, we would just have to wash it. The animal is going to die and we just want to give it some comfort. I fret and internalize over all the things he does, things that are not benefitting the animals. We are county run and we need to make so much money apparently, but I think the animals should still be treated with compassion.
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