So many people come to me and ask how they can start their own rescue. First of all, congratulations! You have a good heart! But more importantly, are you ready for it? Running any animal rescue is an exercise in sleepless nights, heartbreak, joy, danger, and love….and it never ends. There is a term I was taught by a volunteer called ‘compassion fatigue’ and running a rescue teaches you exactly the meaning in no uncertain terms. Your days start early and end late, your social life wanes to all things rescue, your critics are everywhere, and everyone wants something from you – the person who founded the rescue – because somehow you are the magical unicorn that holds it all together. The rewards are great, for sure. You meet amazing people that give you hope there are more good people than bad people in the world. You make fast friends and share experiences that will be with you for a lifetime. You learn constantly and stop being surprised by what you see. And it is a lonely place because it is hard for anyone who doesn’t run a rescue to understand what your day is like when they ask you ‘why don’t you do this or that?’
Running a rescue is for a warrior’s heart, running a rescue is for an angel’s heart, and running a rescue is for only the brave, as you face things most people just can’t face. It is a gift, it is a burden, it is a way of living and you must have a passion, patience and love for all creatures that knows no bounds if you are to survive running a rescue. It is my honor to help but I also know I do it for me – I do it to add to my purpose and feel fulfilled. I do it for you – because I want to find solutions for you. Most importantly I do it for the animals because they simply end up at the mercy of people with no way to help themselves.
Jump in and learn like all the rescuers do, but brace yourself for all that it entails. Did I mention it also involves a mountain of paperwork in addition to management of volunteers, schedules, feeding and care of animals, and late night emergency calls? Did I mention that the amazing contributors should be thanked? Did I mention that the amazing volunteers should be given awards? Did I mention that no rescue is one person even though your name becomes your rescue? Rescues take lots of like-minded individuals that support each other while being focused on the mission. Good luck and feel free to ask for help because I will always help a new rescue…..we need them!
