Yes, I'm Stressed!

Today is a snow/ice day. School is out, the roads are icy, temperatures are well below freezing and power is on and off. Our shelter operations manager stayed late to meet the veterinarian -who after a day of surgery at Memphis Animal Services- to write health paper for animals going on a transport in 3 days. She is overworked, stressed and tired. Leaving work she passed out from either high blood pressure or a possible stroke and totaled the shelter vehicle. Lee is in the Regional Medical Center having test run and pretty banged up. Two german Sheppards attacked the sheep at the high school, killing one and leaving three more injured. The dogs were surrendered to the shelter awaiting on the court case possibly resulting in euthanasia of both dogs. The owners of the dogs are elderly with little money. The student owning the sheep owes money to the bank for the sheep she purchased as her school project. Everyone is scrambling to deal with cold weather, a cat surgery day and an upcoming transport. Last week one of our three veterinarians just decided to not come in for surgery and wont communicate with anyone. A student's dog was attacked by her father's dog (who was surrendered to the shelter for euthanasia) and is suffering with a possible broken leg and puncture wounds. The student has no money and her family will not help her with veterinary expenses. Did I mention the student is a regular foster for critically sick cats from our school clinic? You just can't make all this stuff up! To say that this is an emotionally draining field to work in is an understatement. I share all of that knowing that most of us are going through similar situations. Yes, it is emotional! Why should we care about the emotional content of animal sheltering? Because if we don't, then who will? We do it for the animals and the people involved with the animals. Is it a calling? Yes, 100% it is. Not everyone has the skills or the heart for this work. Some days are hard and others are just harder. But when everything is said and done, it is rewarding to feel like you have made a difference in the lives of the animals.

Last week we met with the shelter director to discuss budget concerns for the remaining fiscal year and changes to next year's budget. We discussed hiring an assistant operations manager to take some pressure off Lee. Lee does the work of 10 people and has been struggling for some time. She's great at her job but not good at saying no. Is it the shelter manager's fault for giving her too much to do without enough help? Should she learn to delegate more? Should employees be cross-trained to pick up the slack of other workers? I'd say yes to these questions. It has just been a terrible week for all of us. Emotionally draining for sure. Not sure if I should have shared all of that but it is a perfect example of the emotional stress we all have.