Episode Synopsis "Episode 3: Your Care while Rescuing Animals"
Helping either a dog or a cat in any urgent or emergency situation takes a lot of energy to follow through in caring for all its needs. People who work and or volunteer with rescuing, caring and or fostering animals love what they do and make a big difference in each of the animals’ lives. Unfortunately, with a lot of healthy pets also being dropped off at a shelter or simply dumped at any location, especially during the pandemic, it adds an emotional stress on those who dedicate their time to saving as many animals as possible. Many rescuers have difficulty looking out for their own well-being because they put the animal’s life before their own. By not taking care of their health over long periods of time, it develops an emotional strain, also called compassion fatigue, in their lives. The constant pressure of rescuing every animal can be a very heavy burden that makes it hard to cope with on a daily basis. It’s important for an animal caretaker or owner to take breaks and re-energize so they can recover well more often. Self-care time can vary for when it is done. People with multiple animals may enjoy fifteen minutes of a creative activity to help relax their mind and body. Whether it is just having a good meal, a nice walk or a nap, there are different ways a person can care for themselves.