Compassion Fatigue: Causes & Solutions

Compassion Fatigue in the rescue field is defined as emotional exhaustion, caused by the stress of caring for traumatized, abused, or sick animals. 

Other names for Compassion Fatigue are burnout, secondary traumatic stress (STS), secondary victimization, vicarious traumatization, and secondary survivor. It has also been described as the ‘Cost of Caring’.

Studies are beginning to suggest that animal care professionals may be number one in vulnerability to Compassion Fatigue and Burnout.

What causes Compassion Fatigue? Here are a few items to focus on today.

• Constant exposure to trauma

Having constant exposure to animal trauma is unavoidable in this field. At any given moment you will be handed or hear about an animal that was abandoned, abused, tortured, left to die, or will be in the process of dying. Often this scenario repeats itself daily.

• Dealing with the public

The public can be ignorant of these situations. Not everyone but there is a good chunk of the population that has no idea what’s happening in the shelters; or they just don’t care. There are also people that by no fault of their own, cannot connect with how you’re feeling. They just don't understand. Maybe they never had the opportunity to know the love of an animal. There are also those who are just ungrateful.

• Facing it alone

Facing this alone is one of the worst things you can do. Unfortunately, sometimes we have to. Or at least you feel like it. There isn’t enough time in the day or there isn’t a listening ear close.

What can you do to help yourself or someone else?

• Breath

It’s okay to be sad, afraid, or discouraged. You need to acknowledge what has happened or how you feel, if you need to cry; do so. If you find that you cannot handle this task, ask another volunteer to do it for you. I believe every rescue should have a policy in place or a room to retreat to if things become overpowering. You have to have an outlet, which brings me to my next example.

• Talk to someone

Facing this alone will not help you now or later down the road. It won’t help the animals either. Find someone to talk to; a colleague, friend, family member. Tell them what’s happening and how you feel. 

To the listener, here are a few things you can do to help.

Don’t ask them if they’re okay if you don’t care. If you ask someone suffering if they’re okay, they’re probably going to spill a lot of frustration and emotion on you depending on what they’re going through. The last thing you need to do is ask if you can help with no intentions of helping.

If they do begin to talk, LISTEN. Don’t interrupt, don’t share your unrelated stories, don’t tune out, and don’t make jokes to lightening the mood. If they’re asking you to listen, that’s just what they need you to do.

• Remember

Remembering these three things are crucial.

1. You’re trying your best with what you have.
2. All those animals you were able to save up until now.
3. All those animals will you save in the future.

Lastly, snuggle an animal. It doesn’t even matter what kind. They can all sooth the pain. My rescue friends know what I mean.

Join me next time as we dive deeper into Compassion Fatigue.
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God Bless.

If you or someone you know are having thoughts of suicide, please speak up. Know that you’re not alone.
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National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255