When you are the target of hate

We received unsettling information today that jumped us into upping our security for the safety of our rescued animals under treatment and for my children who spend time at our clinic while we are out running errands.

Our clinic is private property, as is our shelter, and "visiting" at off hours for malicious purposes is trespass (and petty and inappropriate at least).

Going through our records, the online slander/harassment started in May of 2020. Four years is a long time to be on the receiving end of bullying and although we try to take the high road, I personally have had a moment of weakness in the past in which I said a few choice words to the culprit. I'm not sorry about it.  

Animal rescue is hard enough. But to feel on high-alert because of another local animal rescue is out to get you is sad and backwards.  

It happens everywhere, though.
Some advice I found on-line written by Inga Fricke on the Humane Society of the United States page:

"People outside the field are often surprised to learn how intense and relentless the attacks can be on those of us working in animal shelters and rescues. They can’t begin to imagine living through what we accept as just an unfortunate part of the job.

When they ask why this happens, the only explanation I can offer is that animal work brings out a lot of passion in many people. When channeled positively, that passion inspires miracles. When channeled negatively, it’s brutal and cuts straight to the heart.

For those on the receiving end, the impact is real. Nothing hurts more than devoting your life’s work to animals only to be told that you’re incompetent, or worse, you just don’t care. I’m no longer surprised when I hear of another peer leaving the field, or worse yet, leaving us permanently. Animal welfare workers are subject to many of the same stresses that cause veterinarians to have one of the highest suicide rates of any profession.

It's hard for people outside the sheltering and rescue field to truly understand the work that we do and the difficult decisions we face every day. But at least those of us working or volunteering in animal welfare should be able to agree that we’re in this battle for the animals together. Infighting only serves to make all our lives more difficult and consumes time and energy that could be spent helping animals."