03/02/2025
Copied from another rescue, and never a truer word written.
Is Rescue still fun for you?
For most people involved in Rescue, that beginning time was more than fun, it was almost exhilarating. Simply being able to reach out and help an animal in need, to make a difference in that animals life felt so good. And it's addictive.
But also for most people involved in Rescue, they come to find it's like rolling a snowball down the hill – it gets bigger and bigger and sometimes it can even set off an avalanche.
Where are you in the stage of Rescue? Are you at the beginning it makes you happy, where you feel good for every cat you trap, for every kitten you socialize, for every colony you stabilize and manage? Are you in the middle where it still feels really good but you're starting to feel a little overwhelmed, you don't have enough hours in the day? Or have you become buried in the avalanche and you don't know how to dig yourself out?
Rescuers are really bad about taking care of themselves. And sadly even when they can see that they are becoming buried, they don't know how to avoid it. Throughout the years of involvement in Rescue, the number one problem I have seen for rescuers is the feeling of guilt they developed for not taking on a situation.
We've said it before and we will probably say it many times again, but if you don't take care of yourself first you won't be able to take care of any others. Are you building up debt, finding yourself becoming socially isolated, or find you are becoming pessimistic, negative, angry all the time? When you hear of a situation in need is your first reaction a sense of despair, knowing that you "just have to do it"? If so, it really is time for you to step back.
Suggestions for creating that healthy zone for yourself:
- Look at your support system. Do you have people in your life who encourage you to take time for yourself, or are the people in your life actually involved in having you take on more and more? If you find you are not able to say no, it may be time to distance yourself -at least for a while - from the people who are not helping you help yourself. And if you have been having people in your life who care about you tell you they are worried about you – listen to them.
- If you have had to distance yourself from people in your life, you need to be looking for that healthy support system. Depending on your personality and your style, there are so many ways to begin to reach out for that support – pick up a book at the library on self care; check out the Internet for support groups; do a search for in person support groups; consider talking to a counselor. Talk to friends and family members and say: You know I think I have gone too far and I'm losing myself – I'm trying to dig myself out of this hole, can you help me?
-Ask yourself what would you really love to be doing right now? Have you given up hobbies or simple things that you love to do because Rescue has left you no time for them? Start out slowly but schedule time to do some of those things you love. Whether it's going for a hike, going to a movie, going out dancing or to a concert, think of something that sounds fun. Maybe it's taking a class in something that interests you, or joining a craft group, a book club, a cooking class. And if you're having trouble thinking of something you want to do, you really need to spend the time thinking about it - because this is a sign you're in trouble!
-If you have gotten yourself into financial difficulties, maybe you are living on a credit card, that needs to stop now. Too many rescuers have gone to this point and been unable to stop, and ended up losing everything - including their ability to help the animals. If you have to stop doing any rescue work for now while you get your finances in order, do it. If you don't have a budget, make one. Allocate only what you can afford to spend on charitable giving and make that your line in the sand – if you don't have the ability to pay for what you are taking on, you're on a road to self destruction. There's no shame in saying "I can't afford that". By stepping back, getting your own life back in order and deciding exactly what you are truly able to do, you will be able to become involved again and be able to help without ruining yourself.
-Don't accept guilt. If you have made it clear you need to step back and you have toxic people in your life telling you "you HAVE to do this, the animals NEED you, you CAN'T turn your back", get rid of them. If you're at the point that you have to take this step back, you simply cannot be with those people who are encouraging you to continue the path to self destruction.
We hope those who are reading this are not yet at that stage of being buried in the avalanche. But if you're standing on that slope and starting to lose your footing, please – take the steps now to prevent the slide that will bury you. Help your fellow rescuers by not overwhelming them, and encourage them to take care of themselves. Remember, your life is important too; take time today to find some joy just for you. We want to see you be able to continue in Rescue -take care of yourself first and you will be able to continue to Rescue for the rest of your life☺️
