Shiba Rescuer's Resource Page
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To Start: Some thoughts to live
by
"Rescuers Need Rescue, too." By Chandra
Moira
Beal
Animal rescue is deeply rewarding yet
extremely difficult work. To survive in this
realm, one must find healthy ways to cope
with the emotional challenges. Here are 10
points to ponder.
1. You can't save them all. Even if you spent
every hour of every day working to save
animals, you still wouldn't be able to save
them all. Take comfort in knowing that you
are not alone in your efforts.
2. Work smarter, not harder. Manage your
rescue efforts like a business.
Organize tasks to make the best use of time.
For example, time spent recruiting more
volunteers may make more sense in the long
run than trying to do more yourself. If you
find yourself pulled in many directions, you
might be more effective if you focus on one
rescue facility, one geographic locale, or
one species or breed.
3. Just say no. Many people feel guilty when
they can't take care of everything that comes
up. Be realistic about how much you can
handle! If
you're feeling overwhelmed, it's okay to say,
"I can't right now." Delegate to others when
possible, and ask for help when you need it.
4. You are making a difference. Whenever you
question whether you're helping very much,
remember the old parable about the man
walking on the
beach, picking up starfish who have washed
ashore and tossing them gently, one by one,
back into the ocean. Another man approaches,
notices
that there are starfish on the beach for as
far as the eye can see, and
asks, "What difference can you possibly make
when there are so many?" Looking at the
creature in his had, the first man replies,
"I can make all the difference in the world
to THIS starfish."
5. Celebrate victories. There are happy
endings to many rescue stories.
Rejoice in what is working. Of course, seeing
an animal go home with a loving family is the
greatest reward of all.
6. Small kindnesses do count. It's common to
think that small efforts don't mean as much
as large victories, but stopping to pet an
animal, even for just one minute is worth
doing. Your touch may be the only friendly
attention he or she receives that day.
Grooming, holding and comforting,or intoning
softly that you care, are activities that
many shelters don't have time for.
7. Find outlets for emotional release. Rescue
work can be physically exhausting,
emotionally draining and spiritually
challenging. Don't dismiss your feelings or
think you're a wimp for being affected by it
all. Talk to someone you trust about what
you're experiencing. Cry when
you need to. Write your feelings in a
journal. Channel your emotions into action by
writing to the editor of your newspaper or
your local representatives about the need for
animal protection legislation.
8. Take care of yourself. Make time to do
whatever makes you feel good.
Take a relaxing bath, or go out to dinner and
let someone else do the cooking. You need to
recharge your batteries in order to maintain
mental
and physical health.
9. Don't downplay your compassion. When
people ask me why I rescue animals, often I'm
tempted to say, "Oh, it's not big deal" or
"Somebody's got to do it," when in reality I
rescue animals because I care so deeply about
them. Compassion is healthy, normal and
necessary for this work. Let people know how
important this cause is to you. You just
might inspire others to become
involved.,
10. Never give up. When you get discouraged,
it is tempting to throw in
the towel. Despite all your hard work, you
may not see real change in your lifetime.
Still, giving up won't make it any better.
Take a break,
and come back fighting. And remember the man
and the starfish.
[Note: Chandra Moira Beal, is a freelance
write who lives in Austin, TX. ]
ABOUT THIS
WEBSITE
This entire site is a guide for those of you
rescueing Shiba Inu; whether or not you do so
as part of an official rescue group or
not.
This entire website may be printed out for
reference (as long as it is ONLY distributed
in it's entirety and only if notice is
included on
EVERY copy that this information is
copyrighted (12/99-8/03) by Diane Richardson
and
my email address frontierrots@webtv.net
)
I strongly reccomend that you follow the
evaluation form (or a similar form) when
deciding whether or not to accept a
particular dog into your rescue program or
not .
Liability wise it is NOT reccomended that
dogs with a bite history of ANY kind be
accept for rescue. Because IF you place a dog
with a known bite history you are risking
legal repercussions if that dog bites again.
IF you are doing rescue as a group you should
have a liablity insurance policy that covers
you against claims by adoptive families and
people you meet while at adoption day events
or while training or socializing the dog in a
public or private setting. Many rescue groups
use the Sportsmans insurance company but shop
around for the most appropriate coverage at
the best price for your group.
Instructions, forms and resources
Evaluation instructions and form
On being a good rescuer
Links
homecheck form
Landlord approval form
Veterinarian reference form
Email: frontierrots@webtv.net
