This is a question for anyone successfully involved in rescuing animals, regardless of animal type and whether working with a rescue group, with a shelter or independently. If someone asked you to give a speech or write a blog post or write a book about how to start doing what you do, plus some key points about keeping up the momentum, what would you include?
Yes, I’m compiling a list for use elsewhere and I need lots of input.
Feel free to say as little or as much as you want.
Have a support system – family, friends, volunteers, etc… It’s hard to do it as a group, so imagine doing it by yourself! Don’t let yourself get burnt out, because it WILL happen. Someone else can pick up while you are taking a break. If you do rescue by yourself, be sure to give yourself a break once in awhile – it will not only benefit you, but the animals you are helping.
well… I don’t always do things the “right” way. so. i try not to give advice 🙂
but. if someone does ask how to get involved, i guess i’d ask them to consider:
– what need do you think needs to be filled, and how can you fill it
– are you limited to one breed, or none at all
– how far are you willing to go (financially, emotionally, geographically)
then I guess I’d tell them to use google or petfinder to find some rescues and find a mentor to show them how they can fill a void for dogs in need.
at this stage, I’m making up my own set of ‘rescue norms’ as i go along, i certainly do not have it figured out and i still make a lot of mistakes… esp with keeping up momentum, right now i don’t really know where to go from here, just that i need a few weeks to think about it. so maybe i really shouldn’t be the one answering this question!
This is my piece.
Know yourself and read your own gut feelings as you would when dealing with any other situation in your life. And have the courage to step back and say after truly trying – this animal is not a good fit for me (and the reverse applies) and I may be doing more harm than good. You didn’t fail – another foster home may just have the right set of variables for that particular animal and next time you will have added more experience and knowledge.
I was the 7th Foster home for a GSD/Jindo who I eventually adopted. 2 of his previous Foster homes should have given him back far sooner. I’m not saying hand an animal back at the first problem – just know when you aren’t the right foster home and listen to your gut and heart.
All great points so far! Thank you all for the input. When people ask me about rescue, I tend to focus on the operational stuff… procedures, policies, etc., so this is just what I’m looking for.
My one piece of advice would be “just get started”. I think too many people are waiting for just the right opportunity and it never comes along, so they just keep waiting/delaying/stalling. Just get out there, start helping however you can, and you might find your perfect opportunity changes, or you find ways to make it happen.
Everyone knows a ton of people who say “I wanted to help, but…”
Take the “but” out and just go do something.
Excellent advice James. 🙂
Thanks! I was a “but” person until somewhat recently. Almost on impulse one day, when I saw that a newish rescue was recruiting volunteers, I signed up and have been slowly but surely getting more and more involved, no “buts”.
I agree with Bonnie about the Support System especially when working independently of an organization, but also when you belong to a group. It’s important to include at least one, more is better, rescue volunteers in that system because you’ll need someone who’ll understand when you have to vent. One of my biggest ‘pet’ peeves is hearing, or reading, negative thoughts from volunteers directed at the public who may not be able to do more than send positive thoughts/prayers at the time, but may be ‘the forever home’ for another homeless furball in the future. Turning people off isn’t what we’re striving for, positive thoughts are better than no thought at all. Also, as much as we, as volunteers, might not feel as respectful towards those who’ve failed the dog in need, venting in public doesn’t help protect the image or reputation of what rescue is all about. Having a system in place where you can blow off steam in private seems like the best option for those who want the public to take us seriously when we step forward to help one in need. I really don’t know if those who volunteer realize, with so many avenues of contact these days, whatever they say does stay, around forever. Be gentle with your words, no matter how difficult, because it’s hard to swallow when you realize a life may have been lost because you didn’t take a few seconds to think before you spoke.
You need to realize that you will not be able to save them all and that it’s not a “numbers” game. Know what your limits are and stick to them. To take on more than you can handle can not only be detrimental to yourself and your family, but to the dogs you are trying to save. Having a few other people involved with rescue that you trust to give you their honest view of a situation (or to vent to in private) is helpful. Good communication is also needed. Too often rescuers can confuse a situation by making multiple phone calls and the animal suffers in the long run. On the other hand, follow through asap with what you say you are going to do.