Rescue Burn Out

Posted 06/16/2006 


Crossposted with permission

Several years ago, Barbara Pietrangelo, a breeder and rescuer of Weimaraners in Pennsylvania, put together a set of guidelines to help Rescuers avoid burnout. She presented the list and these comments to The rescuers gathered at the 1997 Rescue Symposium of the National Animal Interest Alliance.

The list was slightly adapted to suit Canadian rescuers (in the Organizations named)

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely What others think you are." --John Wooden

Barbara Peitrangelo's Guidelines:

Recognize and accept that you cannot save every animal. "Rescue work Is an emotional roller coaster," she said. There is little or no use in Making it worse by giving yourself undeserved guilt trips."

Stand by your convictions. "Don't try to second-guess yourself; make Your decision and stand by it."

Use common sense. "If you have no room for just one more dog, don't Take just one more dog."

Learn to say no. "Don't allow yourself to be coerced into saying yes To something that you can't do and do well. That 'yes' could be the very One that blows your already well-worn fuses. Say no, accept the Responsibility for saying no, and try to find someone else to help. But Say no and don't feel guilty because you did."

Don't be judgmental. "Accept people for what they are. I used to hate every person who gave up their dog. I used to hate every breeder who wouldn't or couldn't take their dog back. Then I realized that I was wasting so much time brooding and hating, that I was giving myself an Ulcer. You can't change people, you can only change what you have Control over."

Learn to take action. "Put your time and effort to constructive use" By contacting BCCC, the CCofC, the CKC, the SPCA, the media, the Provincial and local agencies in charge of animal care, when appropriate And by sweet-talking breeders who won't take back their own animals."

Ask for help.

Ask for money.
Accept euthanasia in necessary cases. "Providing a humane end to an Animal's' life is part of what we do."

Learn to prioritize. "Make time for your family and friends. Make time For your own animals. Please don't allow your friends, family, and your Own animals to fall by the wayside because of rescue. Keep some time Aside to have fun!" Be patient with callers.

Know when to quit. "The world got along after Abraham Lincoln was Assassinated. The rescue world will get along without you. You will Know when it is time to quit. Some of the signs? Making errors in judgment. Depression. You aren't feeling as good about rescue as you used to Feel. The signs are many and varied."

Those who follow these guidelines stand a good chance of a successful Stint in rescue.