Rescue Adoption Rates Plummeting

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https://thewest.com.au/news/animals/australias-compassion-fatigue-results-in-lowest-pet-adoption-rates-and-forced-euthanasia

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Flamesuit on. I'm prepared for all the excuses as to why rescue makes it all too hard or too expensive.  I've heard them all. 
The rescue sector is buckling under the pressure of endless unwanted animals and the high cost of vetwork and upkeep while in care. Targeted blame on people who have chosen an unpaid and bloody difficult occupation is all too common.  

[Little Gifts]

As a foster carer for a long long time with both RSPCA and a couple of independent groups I think something has to give. RSPCA can't continue to be the funded body and not doing the work. All these independent rescue groups would  not even exist if they were doing the job the general  public thinks they are with all their donations. Its one big scam.

 

The last rescue group I was with is constantly screaming out for foster carers to the degree that it is putting me off them now. I know it is hard but you can't commit to dogs and then guilt  people into taking them. You can't recruit new carers by banging on at the same group of supporters and you can't  keep  bringing in dogs if you have nowhere for them to go. And the risk of bringing in dogs and sending straight to carers is that their behaviours are unknown. There have been several badly matched fosters (we had one that I felt would physically harm me if he stayed any longer) and that doesn't help retain carers either.

 

I've ended up with a foster fail that I did not plan and who is terrified of other dogs. He was so ill at rescue they did their first ever Go Fund Me to cover his vet bills. If I had my way I guess I'd still be fostering as many as I could. And I'd be in the thick of fundraising for them (or other rescues). But I'm not doing either because I'm definately still burnt out after things went south with Craft for Paws. So yeah it's a hard emotional slog that continues endlessly and I'm in my down cycle about it all still...