02/08/2024
As the long weekend approaches, and I've insisted my amazing team log off and enjoy some downtime with their loved ones, I'd like to take a quick moment to chat with you all about something that's been upsetting me the last couple of weeks.
You see, I've got this incredible group of volunteers who show up day in and day out; out of the kindness of their hearts and the pure love and devotion for the very lives we're striving to make an impact for. We celebrate them internally and make sure they feel loved and appreciated - but over the past couple of weeks, we've had SEVERAL instances where my management team or I have had to step in because applicants or the general public have been... well... incredibly unkind.
I will not get into details, as there have been too many incidents to count lately.
However, seeing my amazing volunteers feeling hurt, defeated, and overwhelmed like this.. it sucks y'all. The job itself is hard enough as is.
You see, every single one of us volunteers our time, including me, around our full-time jobs and busy schedules. We don't do this for a paycheck; our paycheck is seeing the animals we work so hard to save thrive in their new lives.
What you don't see is the absolute heartbreak that we all endure daily.
I've been volunteering in rescue for 10 years now, and I can genuinely say I've never seen it this bad. We are living in very trying times, and it is alarming to see what so many families and so many animals are currently enduring.
I understand that BATM has policies and procedures that, to some, may seem unreasonable or strict. Every foster rule, every adoption non-negotiable requirement - they're not put into place to make anything difficult, but rather to keep our animals, as well as your family, safe.
Every decision we make as an organization is for the protection and safety of the dogs and cats in our care. We take their success in their new lives very seriously, and seeing them thrive from the moment they come into our care far into their newly adopted lives is very important to us.
Now, I ask you.
Please, for the love of dog, be kind to my team.
Sincerely, one very exhausted founder.
xoxo Shelbo