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Brigid Wasson and a boxer at So. Co. Animal Shelter
We've all heard the misnomers attributed to the field of animal control: "dog pound," "death row," "dog catcher." Shelter employees are sensitive to these terms, and often wish the public better understood the true nature of their jobs.
Brigid Wasson, Animal Shelter Supervisor for the South County Animal Shelter in San Martin, has worked in the field of animal welfare for the past 20 years. She points out that these words cause people to resent shelter employees. In some cases she's heard people actually blame the shelter workers for the killing of animals.
Wasson points to a new, very real term that few in the public have probably heard: Compassion Fatigue.
Wasson says, "Staff working in animal shelters can suffer from compassion fatigue which is caused by the very nature of their jobs."
Kennel staff, whose duties include euthanizing animals, can suffer symptoms of stress and depression including sleeplessness, loss of appetite and even suicide. Some people manifest compassion fatigue through anger. Others shut down and eventually burn out.
Crystal Muniz with puppies in the shelter
To counter compassion fatigue, Wasson arranges meetings between her shelter staff and grief counselors.
"With counselors present, we have a round table where the staff can talk about their feelings and experiences in the shelter. They laugh and cry, but they open up and talk about what they go through in their daily jobs."
And one of those duties is euthanasia. Wasson says that in her shelter 2 - 5 animals are euthanized each day. And those animals are more likely to not be adoptable due to illness, behavior or age.
Brigid Wasson with a kitten
Wasson says, "The kennel staff work in physically demanding jobs. It is hard, often dirty work. But the one thing they all enjoy is interacting with the public."
As for the Animal Control Officers who do not appreciate the label of "dog catcher," their primary purpose is public safety. Wasson says, "The most common calls our officers respond to are dogs in traffic or unsocialized dogs. Our officers do a lot to educate people about animal care. They work with people who are mentally ill or are elderly. We work closely with social services, doing welfare checks on animals but at the same time, checking on the welfare of people too."
Scooby needs a new home!
DOGS OF THE WEEK:
SAN FRANCISCO SPCA
Scooby (A06950345): I am an 8 year old terrier mix. I move a bit more slowly than I did in my younger days, so I am looking for a quiet, mellow home. I can’t see very well anymore, so I need a little guidance from the person on the other end of the leash. Despite this, I really enjoy going on walks. Another favorite activity of mine is just hanging out at home. If you need a buddy for TV watching, snuggling on the couch, or just napping, I might be your guy!
Ashford would like to make your acquaintance
Ashford! This sweet and kissable 12 year old has a skip in his step and a song in his heart. Don’t let his distinguished grey fool you – this guy has plenty of zip and zest and is eager to share it! He loves other dogs, thinks cats are just fine, and doesn’t mind if you’d like to hang at work all day – he’ll hold down the fort. He loves to roll in the green grass, soak up the warm sun, and remind you what life is all about. He's ready to find his next step in life - could it be you?
A lifelong dog and animal advocate, Shelley Frost wrote Your Adopted Dog: Everything You Need to Know about Rescuing and Caring for a Best Friend in Need (The Lyons Press, 2007) with coauthor Katerina Makris.
Email Shelley: shelley@youradopteddog.com, and visit www.youradopteddog.com
Comments
I have had the pleasure of working with Brigid at another shelter. She and her staff are caring, compassionate and hard working and do EVERYTHING they can to get their animals adopted and/or out to rescue groups and other shelters. They do a great job with few resources and I'm proud to associated with them, however indirectly. BTW, I wish you had featured one of their dogs/cats available for adoption, rather than SFSPCA given that the article was about Brigid and her team!
I amused by how many dogs and other type of animals are being sent in the shelter.But I would gladly adopt one but I have 4 dogs.And I think it's enough for me.But I wish that soon some folks would be nice enough to adopt some.
what a FANTSATIC story! thank you Brigid for helping our 4 legged friends
They kill healthy dogs don't they? Doesn't that make them dog killers? They impound dogs don't they? Doesn't that make them dog pounds? Instead of trying to change the language, how about change the practices? How about you stop pretending that it is anything else? It's not the language that is important, it's the practices. Killing healthy dogs in what they do and we need to stop pretending that it amounts to anything else.
Although 1 year ago I completely agree with the above editorial. It is what it is and this place is no different than any other places, it "just gives a better perception" of what it wants the public to think that it is. Why do you think that time and time again every article that is written only has the opinion of the supervisor. No one else is allowed to talk to the media. Healthy animals are put down as well as unadoptable ones. As far as "counseling" for compassion fatigue, the term is not new but the "act" of having counseling offered at the shelter is not one that I am aware of after having spent much time in the inside and seeing the shelter for what it really is like. Come on people get a clue.............Unfortunately it is a deceiving place and the animals can't talk!
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