15/02/2026
There's a very dark side of rescue that no one talks about. We all try to keep it upbeat, but the truth is, once you've entered that world, you can't really ever go back. It's like a dark void of chaos, and suddenly the way you think and see the world changes.
Some things you used to enjoy now become reminders of suffering. There's a little black cloud that follows us around that only we feel we can see. You stop being able to enjoy cozy nights in by the fire, as all you can think of when you hear the wind and rain is all the animals you had to say no to, who are still out on the streets fighting for their lives against the elements, while you're tucked up inside. You know many of them will die. Every space you see in your home is now a potential safe space for a suffering animal, rather than a place for you to relax.
Listening to others complain about something minor, like their name being written wrong on a Starbucks cup, makes you want to scream, when you know the battle you're trying to fight to stop animals from dying is becoming impossible. Yes, this is a very rewarding 'job,' although I wouldn't ever call it a job, as it never stops. It's a lifestyle we choose, and once your eyes have been opened to the suffering in this country and every other country, you can't truly ever go back.
Many rescue workers deal with a lot of aggression from people and continue to have to smile and push through to keep their animals safe. Compassion fatigue is a real thing. This post is for every single person fighting the war against animal cruelty. We, as humans, must be kinder to each other and to all creatures around us.
If you have friends who work in rescue, please check in on them. It's a tough job that many want to quit, but are too far in to ever turn back, and sometimes a little support is all they need to carry on and help ease off those little black clouds.
