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Hi,
I was hoping to find a place to vent about working in rescue. I know the pet overpopulation problem is overwhelming, I have lived in GA and AL all my life, and the south is the worst! We lack education to the public, but are working on it. I've been doing rescue for about 12 years. I've worked in "no kill" rescue organizations and county shelters. I feel I've experienced a lot. The overpopulation problem is daunting.
However, I feel I need an outlet to vet about the PEOPLE in rescue. In my many years in doing rescue (especially a lot more lately) I am finding the people "in charge" are in it for reasons you would not expect. The ones making the decisions on what is best for the pets are the ones who NEVER, NEVER, NEVER touch the animals or interact with them. They make poor decisions and are never the ones to go above and beyond. I worked at a rescue (and now volunteer there) where the "trainer" (who got this position for dating the executive director) makes ~$30K and is scheduled to work 30 hours, however, most of the time she worked around 15 hours. Don't forget to subtract the 5-8 hours of smoke breaks she took. These people at the top are the ones who know the least. You would think they were in it for the reasons you are, but you realize more and more that their ego and need to control is the reason they are there. You know that they care about animals, but their commitment level and proper decision making is what is in question. It is a "no kill" shelter, but they are letting these dogs be there for 3+ years and never work with them to do things to make them more adoptable. They claim these dogs are happy. I feel there is a big difference in being happy and existing.
In the wake of the Mike "Hope He Rotts In A Special Hell" Vick thing, the main news channel in our city did a piece on 1 of our long-term pits. The "trainer" had not touched this dog (literally, the rescue has 2 floors and she never goes to the downstairs floor) in 4 months, until the camera crews showed up. We have dog walking/training sheets on the front of the dogs' runs and you sign when you work with them. The "trainer" had touched this dog 1 time in 4 months prior to the new team getting there. This is the PAID trainer (at a non-profit)!!! It makes my stomach turn and enrages me!!!
The best part is when you question the "powers that be" there, they never admit to their shortcomings!! The people in charge probably all tell each other they are great and what they are doing is great, just bs'ing each other.
I was just wondering what other people's rescue experience was outside of the south. As we all know, the rescue world is very connected, and in befriending other rescue people, it always seems that in the south the politics and BS outweigh the benefits to the dogs. The "powers that be" exhaust the truly amazing workers/volunteers to the point of mental breakdowns. It's sick and I'm so tired of seeing it every rescue you go to!!!!
I would love some other people's experience, and thanks for letting me vent! And to all of you amazing workers out there dealing with this BS, push through!! I find alcohol and cookies helps
I was hoping to find a place to vent about working in rescue. I know the pet overpopulation problem is overwhelming, I have lived in GA and AL all my life, and the south is the worst! We lack education to the public, but are working on it. I've been doing rescue for about 12 years. I've worked in "no kill" rescue organizations and county shelters. I feel I've experienced a lot. The overpopulation problem is daunting.
However, I feel I need an outlet to vet about the PEOPLE in rescue. In my many years in doing rescue (especially a lot more lately) I am finding the people "in charge" are in it for reasons you would not expect. The ones making the decisions on what is best for the pets are the ones who NEVER, NEVER, NEVER touch the animals or interact with them. They make poor decisions and are never the ones to go above and beyond. I worked at a rescue (and now volunteer there) where the "trainer" (who got this position for dating the executive director) makes ~$30K and is scheduled to work 30 hours, however, most of the time she worked around 15 hours. Don't forget to subtract the 5-8 hours of smoke breaks she took. These people at the top are the ones who know the least. You would think they were in it for the reasons you are, but you realize more and more that their ego and need to control is the reason they are there. You know that they care about animals, but their commitment level and proper decision making is what is in question. It is a "no kill" shelter, but they are letting these dogs be there for 3+ years and never work with them to do things to make them more adoptable. They claim these dogs are happy. I feel there is a big difference in being happy and existing.
In the wake of the Mike "Hope He Rotts In A Special Hell" Vick thing, the main news channel in our city did a piece on 1 of our long-term pits. The "trainer" had not touched this dog (literally, the rescue has 2 floors and she never goes to the downstairs floor) in 4 months, until the camera crews showed up. We have dog walking/training sheets on the front of the dogs' runs and you sign when you work with them. The "trainer" had touched this dog 1 time in 4 months prior to the new team getting there. This is the PAID trainer (at a non-profit)!!! It makes my stomach turn and enrages me!!!
The best part is when you question the "powers that be" there, they never admit to their shortcomings!! The people in charge probably all tell each other they are great and what they are doing is great, just bs'ing each other.
I was just wondering what other people's rescue experience was outside of the south. As we all know, the rescue world is very connected, and in befriending other rescue people, it always seems that in the south the politics and BS outweigh the benefits to the dogs. The "powers that be" exhaust the truly amazing workers/volunteers to the point of mental breakdowns. It's sick and I'm so tired of seeing it every rescue you go to!!!!
I would love some other people's experience, and thanks for letting me vent! And to all of you amazing workers out there dealing with this BS, push through!! I find alcohol and cookies helps