Venting about Rescue

[rellytelly]

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

 

[Sweet72947]

Hey I feel your pain! I volunteer for a large no-kill rescue shelter here in VA, and we also have our problems with the "powers that be". Its true that the ones making all the decisions aren't the ones spending the most time with the dogs. There is a couple who actually LIVES on premises in a house that they pay rent on, and they have virtually no say! And these people (well the woman anyway) knows by HEART every personality quirk of every dog there! (We also have two catteries on premesis, but the decision makers for the cats are different).

One of the things that ticks us off the most is when they want two dogs to be adopted together when they don't NEED to be adopted together. Its much quicker to adopt dogs out seperately. Sometimes the "powers" change their minds, but only after the dogs have been there for a while.

Volunteers go up on Saturdays and Sundays to walk dogs, and also work with adopters on those days. One other interesting thing is the marked difference between Saturdays and Sundays. The Saturday people tend to be rather snobby and act like they are better than you because they are involved in rescue. The Sunday people however are down-to-earth people who really relate to each other and the adopters. I volunteer on Sundays, and I can tell you that more and more people are starting to come on Sundays instead of Saturdays.

Two examples of the differences of Saturday and Sunday people: A woman volunteer was walking a dog and the dog spotted a cat (we have ferals we care for on our premises) and went after it before the woman could react. The dog ended up killing the cat. This happened on a Sunday. We were all very understanding and didn't blame the volunteer. Some people on Saturday called her a cat killer to her face!! Like they were in frickin elementary school or something.
The other example was something that was mentioned in our weekly newsletter. Some people drove up to the shelter on a Saturday with a dog they had adopted, and were met with scowls until it was known that they were just visiting, not returning a dog. They said they might not come back for another visit because of that. I was shocked when I read that. On Sunday that never happens! Yes, we get a little worried when we see somebody driving up with a dog, but we don't scowl at them! We greet them like anyone else, and if they are returning a dog, we just have them fill out the paperwork and take the dog back. Somebody MIGHT make a snide comment if its for a really, really really, really, stupid reason.

Sorry this was long rellytelly, you prompted my own rant.

 

[rellytelly]

Sweet72947- I just don't get it, and I am glad you got to vent. It can be so overwhelming and depressing sometimes to be so passionate. I feel like every day is running into a brick wall. I don't work full time at this rescue anymore, but it is still my heart. I had to leave, because at 25, I thought I was going to get an ulcer of have a heart attack. Everyone outside of the rescue asks me why I still volunteer there, there is only one reason, the kids. I am always inquiring as to different choices the powers that be have made, and they always give me the "if it is too frustrating to volunteer with us, feel free to go elsewhere." I have decided that I love the kids more than I hate them. I plan to be a constant, nagging, thorn in their side. I am so tired of people like them getting away with their s***!!!
Do you feel isolated by your passion for rescue too? My boyfriend also worked at this shelter too. But he's the kind to not cause a stir when he sees an injustice. I'm not that type, I want to fight for what is right. It's just can be so lonely and heartbreaking feeling so passionately for what is right for the kids.
The one thing that keeps me positive is the fact that my lifelong goal is to open my own rescue/be a shelter director. Everything I experience with these people will only make me a stronger/better leader. I hope I inspire people with my passion and dedication. I find it more powerful to lead with actions then with running my mouth, like they all do!!!
How long have you been at this rescue? What are your thoughts on the "no kill" concept?

 

[Aussie Red]

All I can add is that I more then feel the pain.

 

[jess2416]

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 and Charlie were a "victim" of that...

and thats all Im going to say on the matter...

It still hurts and pisses me off when I think about it

 

[Sweet72947]

Do you feel isolated by your passion for rescue too?
How long have you been at this rescue? What are your thoughts on the "no kill" concept?

No, I don't feel isolated at the rescue I volunteer for because there are quite a few others who think like I do. I have been there three years now.

The no-kill concept is an interesting one. I do beleive that healthy, adoptable animals should not be killed for lack of a home, but we have some dogs with behavioral problems who have bitten more than once before, and they sit here in our rescue shelter. Granted, they live in the "long-term dog village" where there aren't runs but climate controlled sheds with pens around them (built to look like little houses w/ fences). But these dogs would NOT be safe to put back into society, and it is not humane to let them sit there day after day stewing in their loneliness. They should be humanley PTS, but the rescue doesn't PTS any dogs unless they are too physically sick to help. One could argue that these dogs are too mentally sick to be helped, but they won't listen.

We do have some perfectly nice dogs with no problems (other than being dog agressive) in our long-term dog village, but their situation is a little different. People go in and cuddle them, spend time with them. The ones with problems are given a walk, fed, and then left to their own devices. Nobody can cuddle and pet them because if you aren't careful and watch their every move, they will bite you. Why they feel it is humane to keep these dogs alive, I don't know. And there are more than several volunteers at the rescue who agree with me, but nobody wants to speak up about it because they KNOW there are people there who would be very angry and treat them like some sort of villian for mentioning such a thing. Euthanasia, to some, is a very dirty word.

 

[StaceyWebb]

Wow, your stories are making me appreciate my group!

We are breed specific (Boxers) and foster based, and the foster family always has the final say over placement. Our Director acts as a go between for the different committees and it really is run as a democracy. The only time the Director steps in as the final authority is if a foster dog is showing signs of human aggression (we euth, no if/ands/or buts) or if there is a major medical issue that we can't afford to treat (which has happened exactly once in my 4 years with the group).

We have a trainer who evaluates dogs on an 'as needed' basis and he is wonderful - he also fosters our problem dogs when we get them.

We are strictly volunteers, no one gets paid. I can't imagine getting paid - maybe if we did, my husband wouldn't bitch about it so much!

No kill IMO is not the way to go. I hate the thought of warehousing dogs who are unadoptable and spending money on them that could be used to save so many nice, adoptable dogs. We rarely euth, but when we do, it's because of an unsound temperament or because of a medical issue that cannot be resolved. We pride ourselves on offering family friendly, temperamentally sound Boxers to our applicants, and while we'll Intake any Boxer who needs our help (depending on space available, of course), we would never warehouse an unadoptable dog and tie up space that could go to an adoptable dog.

 

[Sweet72947]

In my rescue, the "powers that be" are a bunch of old ladies with rigidly set ideals (we do have a president who is a man, but he is mostly involved in the business part of it and doesn't really make decisions regarding the animals themselves). I think once those ladies eventually retire there will be a lot of change....

 

[rellytelly]

Wow StaceyWebb, I need to volunteer with your group!!! I hope to one day establish or find a group like that. It is true that shelter settings tend to lend themselves to more stress than the wonderful idea of all foster, but in the south, I know that is not an option.
I wish our "powers that be" thought more about the realistic side of keeping a person aggressive dog. My favorite dog at that shelter, who is truly my heart, Tyler (he is cat aggressive too, so that's the main reason he's not at my house, in addition to the other 8 permanent dogs and 2 fosters/strays) is new people aggressive. The first day he meet me, he bit me. He takes a while to warm up to people. Typical story, once he does, he is your best friend. He now lets me do anything for him, he is an amazing boy who deserves better. However, the "powers that be" think they are so heroic because they never euthanize a dog, unless medically necessary. Tyler has lived in the "downstairs" floor-think concrete basement with heat and air, for the last 3 years. THey have done NOTHING with him and despite me constantly inquiring about what more can be done for him (which they say they are doing it all now-but the paid "trainer" never touches him, she's actually afraid of him). It breaks my heart. He is exisiting, not living. So much for heroic. Tyler is one among about 8 dogs there with a variety of issues, with the same story and time at the "no kill" shelter.
Man, I feel my blood pressure going up every time I think about him, man I hate the people in charge!!
I am glad to hear there are great rescues that operate smoothly out there!!

 

[Tazwell]

I feel the same way StaceyWebb does. My rescue is foster-based, but some of the dogs are boarded at the vet. I don't exactly agree with that, except with special cases. Some of them stay for way too long, defeating the purpose of the rescue. One of them has been with us a year, and is just going downhill.

I have last say over where my foster dogs go, which I totally appreciate-- I don't agree with some of my rescue's habits in placement.

And I have very mixed feelings about no-kill shelters and rescues, because a lot of the time they end up neglecting animals, and they just fill up with animals that end up staying there forever. Or like your experience with yours. I like Foster-based rescues much more, there's much more interaction with the animals and they are worked with and evaluated, and they live in a home situation. But you can't argue the fact that they rescue that many more animals

 

[BostonBanker]

Poor Tyler . No-kill is one of those ideas that always sounds nice until you see it in practice. To me, quality of life is critically important. I help with a friend's rescue (all-breed, foster homes or in her home), and although she does not place human aggressive dogs, the quality of life subject comes up occasionally with dogs who just aren't placable. It's sad to think there are some who you just can't help, but it happens.

Does your shelter ship dogs up north? That is actually where most of my friend's rescue dogs come from; my own dog was a transplant from West Virginia. There are a lot of awful nice dogs down there looking for homes, and we have very few locally.

 

[tessa_s212]

I too run into problems with the "authority", though the humane society I'm with does euthanize if they have no room. Just recently they put down a good dog when there were two other dogs that were terribly dog aggressive(one people aggressive as well) and been there a much longer time. There is one person that has some authority that listens and takes my advice, but the person in charge of who stays and who is killed sometimes takes it for granted and does her own thing, and that means good dogs are killed that do not need to be.

And it just kills me because these people making the decisions do not spend the time with the dogs like I do. It has become "just" a job for them. I was a volunteer for half a year before I actually became a paid kennel hand, and that is something I promised to never become. It would ALWAYS be more than just a job to me.. it will always be about the dogs. Just today I volunteered an extra hour of my time to sit with an injured dog, wrap it's leg that had a wound.. the other worker there, though she did make the call to get the dog out of the humane society when I told her to, she wasn't back there sitting with the dog or trying to help it when it was screaming and whimpering from pain. I might not have been working long, and I might not have hte most authority, but I at least still have the heart for hte dogs. That is something I will never let myself lose.

 

[StillandSilent]

I also feel your pain. I swear some of the people on our board have never seen the kennels at our shelter because they don't care enough to go back there. They would never see the cats if you couldn't look in on them from the lobby. But things are getting better thanks to a very clever lady who left the shelter quite a bit of money (Think hundreds of thousands of dollars) with the stipulation that only the director could touch it, not the board. Ah, it's sweet not to have to beg the board for money.
The "no-kill" is very, very hard to practice. We are technically "no-kill" although "low-kill" would be more appropriate. We do not, under any circumstances keep biters. We also do not take dogs that are extremely dog agressive, simplly do to space issues. But at least we're honest about it. We do tell people that the reason we can be no-kill is that Animal Control euthanized 4,000 a year.
If you are going to go the no-kill route, you have to have some way to get the dogs out and about in society. Right now we have several programs in place. Long term dogs go for days out where they spend time walking on the river, they can go into foster placements, they can go to our prison program and we make a special effort to take them to off-site adoptions. And of course there's always a few long timers chilling in the multipurpose room so thye can get the extra love. Does it save all of them? No. But it does save the majority and for the moment, that's the best we can do.

 

[rellytelly]

Yes, BostonBanker, poor Tyler. My heart breaks for him. I wish those who made decisions for him loved him too, and their hearts would break for him. But I guess that would involve them ever seeing him or interacting with him.
I went in to volunteer this weekend at the shelter. The new Sept walking/training sheets were up (they put up new ones every month). As of Sunday, 9 days into the month, the on-staff, paid "trainer" had not touched one dog. Not one dog in 9 days, that is such crap!!!
I have to thank every one of you, though. This posting has been such good therapy for me and has lowered my blood pressure immensly. Thanks so much for all of your stories and commiserating