09/10/2024
It is with an extremely heavy heart that Harbor of Hope Dog Rescue has decided to close its doors for now. 5 years ago Harbor of Hope Dog Rescue joined thousands of fellow dog lovers all across this country hoping to make a difference. We had a vision that we could rescue dogs while also prioritizing both the physical and mental welfare of our volunteers. Our founding board members had seen firsthand the consequences of the rescue world and the toll that compassion fatigue can have on its volunteers. We collectively agreed that we would NOT be a group who would save lives at the expense of others. The moment we crossed that precipice, we would need to stop and re-evaluate what we were doing.
We had NO idea that just a few short months after opening our doors in October 2019 that we would face the largest health crisis our generation has ever seen. COVID changed the world as we knew it. Together with our incredible volunteers and supporters, we seized the opportunity to learn, grow and adapt to the needs of those we promised to protect. Over the years we have offered hope to hundreds of dogs AND offered grace, compassion and hope to the humans we engaged with as well. Those in the rescue community can attest to how truly difficult it is to balance the two. We didn’t do it perfectly, but we sure did try.
Sadly, we live in a cruel, painful world where the innocent suffer simply for existing. That’s as true for dogs as it is for humans. We watched as the reality of this world weighed on us heavily. We tried to focus on the ones we COULD save rather than the ones we couldn’t. We gave each other pep talks and hugs. We cried together. We laughed together. We hurt together. We healed together.
Along the way I watched firsthand as compassion fatigue stole the life from people I know and care about deeply. Over the last 2 years I have personally struggled with maintaining my own mental health to the degree that it severely impacted those around me. I have seen far too many ‘Rescues’ that eventually needed to be “rescued” because they didn’t know where their limits were. Eventually animals started to be harmed at their own hands because they had spread themselves to thin. We refuse to be one of them. And while we know there is still a LOT of work to be done, we also know that for now Harbor of Hope Dog Rescue needs to ‘Pause’.
I do not know what the future holds for us and while uncertainty is scary, it’s truly okay to not have all the answers. Some of our volunteers have already started working with other local rescues to continue making a positive impact on the world around us. Others are taking some much needed ‘time off’ to focus on their families and their own personal needs. I am proud of ALL of them for remaining true to themselves and honoring their own personal needs.
💙To our Friends, Families and Supporters💙
I can never thank you enough for supporting us and believing in our collective dream. The lives we have been able to save and the HOPE we’ve offered to the families who were made whole by adopting one of our dogs is truly remarkable. We will never know the full impact of your sacrifices and generosity over the years.
💙To our Adopters💙
THANK YOU for giving our kiddos the life they deserve. Thank you for giving them safety and love so they can be everything YOU need them to be (and then some!). Thank you for opening your hearts and homes to receive the most perfect love possible
