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I'm giving up rescuing

SOAD

Wise Old Thumper
This is not a post for attention, I'm not that sort of person, but I need to write down my thoughts while I'm thinking of them, because I need to know how low I've got.

I can't cope with the upset anymore, Dusty and now Joey, I have screwed up twice now and I can't feel any lower than I do right now. I have done more harm then good and I can't cope with the guilt. I do my best but my best isn't good enough. My life has been taken over, I don't do the things I use to do. I spend 1000's upon 1000's on vet bills, I spend all my free time house checking collecting rabbits, dealing with sick buns, I've got to the point where I think enough is enough, something has got to give and unfortunately it's me, I have given everything I have to give. I am sitting here crying at work, this is not normal my life should not be like this, trying to do a good thing should not make me this miserable. I can't explain how I feel but I think it can't be healthy to feel this way. I have buns still in and I have a couple on my waiting list that are desperate, but other than that Underhill Rabbit Rescue needs to close, I can not put myself through this and only to mess things up. The people I deal with are horrible, nobody cares and you can't make people care, it's got too much now. If I don't walk away I will damage my own sanity and that helps nothing.

I would never post this if I wasn't 100% serious, I've got to the stage where I think I can't do no more. My Dad said to me a few months back, that he spent 30 years trying to make people care about animal welfare and all it does is make you depressed and I've got to be honest I agree.

I would like to thank everyone that has supported me and I would like to thank Steph for fostering and being such a great help.

Some comments have tipped me over the edge, I really can not put up with condemnation on top of guilt, totally had enough.
 
Awwww mate I am sorry but you have done so much good over the past 2 years.

I honestly think you have done enough and you need to put yourself 1st for a bit.

I think maybe in a year or so after a good break you could always think about starting again but for now just concentrate on some "you" time :D
 
So sorry to read this. Big hugs. When it has come to the point where you are finding affecting your sainty then I think it is time to call it a day. Think we all know you wouldn't make a snap decision.

Don't know what else to say, but I'm thinking of you.
 
Tree you have made me cry.

I am so sorry to hear that you have come to the end of your tether but I can completely understand how you must be feeling.

I could write loads but won't for now.

I just want to say, that even though I don't know you, I feel like I do and that you have certainly made a difference to bunnies from what I have seen.

You have to think of yourself first or you can't do anything else.

I am tired of people not caring too. I don't even run a rescue. I think that maybe lobbying Parliament might be my way forward as there are just too many bunnies and not enough time and money to go around.

I wish you all the best and hope that you won't be disappearing from the forum as I like to read your posts.

Helen x
 
I am so sorry Tree, I totally understand. You've had it rough recently. One thing you always have to remember though is that none of this is your fault, they come to you this way, this is other peoples fault. You're just the kind hearted person that tries to sort it out xxxx
 
Tree, I'm SO sorry you feel so bad, but I can understand why you do. You have had to deal with some really difficult cases over the last few months and I can't begin to imagine how hard they have been to deal with emotionally.

I really hope you do find away through this and can carry on rescueing as you do a brilliant job with all the bunnies in your care. But if you really can't you should be proud of everything you have achieved while your rescue has been open, and remeber that there are some very happy bunnies out their because of you and all your hard work.

Sending you loads of hugs, I really wish there was something I could do to help xx
 
Awwwwww sweetie, big big hugs your way. I admire everyone who rescues or has rescued in the past. I certainly couldn't do it.

You can only do your best and everyone makes mistakes, we are only human afterall.

Sounds like you need some you time for sure.

Take care
Lian x
 
I understand how you feel tree i could never be a rescue id end up hitting someone! People are so unkind sometimes i hate people who neglect or dont look after there animals there is no excuse:evil:
You cant say you havent tried though look at all those bunnies you have saved and sucesfully rehomed,where would they be now without your help?
Dont be so hard on yourself xx
 
I totally understand how you feel. Definitely sounds like you need some time for you. x
 
I totally understand...it must be really hard to work full-time AND run a rescue.

Perhaps you could join up with a nearby rescue, or do fostering instead?
 
So sorry to read this, You have done an amazing job though. I hate to think what would of happend if you didnt rescue all the buns you did. xxxx
 
First of all, I am sorry I upset you in that other thread, I'm a very direct person, I said what I have in mind. Now, to run a successful rescue, you need a few things:

1) Time -- either your time or someone like your lodger who look after the buns. Since you have about 30+ buns or so, that in itself, is a full time job to look after the buns. Now you already have a full time job, so there is not enough time to look after the buns And yourself And your job. In the end, the whole process became stressful like what you are feeling now.

2) A good and understanding vet -- You got to get a vet that is not only a specialist in rabbit, but charge you less because you run a non-profit rescue center. If that vet is charging you everything and everytime by the book, then you should look for another vet. My vet is a rabbit specialist, and there are quite a few times that he didn't charge me for x-rays, medicine, among other things. Probably because he knows my 2 buns are from SPCA.

3) You have to cut your intake of bunnies. In a way, almost all the members here are running a rescue center, including myself. Both of my 2 buns are from SPCA, so I am running a small 2 bun rescue center. As long as you budget out your time and your money and the no. of rabbits, you can have a happy rescue center, and you'll be happy, and so are all your buns.

You spent thousands, as long as you get the appreciation from your own buns, i.e., seeing that they are happy, then that's all that it counts, it doesn't matter what other people said. Hey, I spent $12K just on Goofball. Seeing that happiness in your own rescue buns, the way they hop around, the way they jump in mid air, is priceless.
 
Awww tree I just wanted to go HUG after reading your post You have been so kind, and encouraging to me... I hope you will stay on RU, as I would hate to never talk to you again!
 
So sorry to hear of the strain it's put on you.

I have the greatest admiration for anyone involved in rescue, I know I couldn't do it. Dealing with the bunnies would be one thing - dealing with the people would be quite another!! Sorry to hear that it's people's attitudes that have brought you down so low, that is terrible :cry:

Take care of yourself.
 
God Tree, no.........................

I think all rescue workers come to a burn out stage, particularly if they are working full time on top of running a busy rescue. You are in no way to blame for any bunny not surviving. THE IDIOTS who owned the bunny before you are to blame.

You sound totally overwhelmed and Im not going to say you should continue because of all the bunnies you help, because that will only make you feel worse. I have sent you a pm.
 
So sorry to hear of the strain it's put on you.

I have the greatest admiration for anyone involved in rescue, I know I couldn't do it. Dealing with the bunnies would be one thing - dealing with the people would be quite another!! Sorry to hear that it's people's attitudes that have brought you down so low, that is terrible :cry:

Take care of yourself.

I agree, I too have the greatest admiration for people who do rescue - I would probably end up in big trouble as I wouldn't be able to control my anger with people. That is why I am going to stick to fostering for now.

I also admire you for calling it a day - whether it's temporary or permanent. You have certainly made a difference to the lives of many bunnies and for that you should be commended. However, when it impacts so much on you physically and emotionally then something has to change. Do not feel bad about it - feel inspired that a new refreshed you will emerge soon and who knows what you will tackle then!!

Good luck with your decision and enjoy time out for yourself.
 
I understand how you feel tree i could never be a rescue id end up hitting someone! People are so unkind sometimes i hate people who neglect or dont look after there animals there is no excuse:evil:
You cant say you havent tried though look at all those bunnies you have saved and sucesfully rehomed,where would they be now without your help?
Dont be so hard on yourself xx

Totally second this. Am really sad that you have been made to feel this way when you do such a wonderful thing xxx
 
Please try to remember all the good you've done, rather than the things you feel guilt about. We're all only human, and hindsight is a wonderful thing.
 
Tree I'm so sorry you seem such a kind compassionate person who does everything possible for your bunnies.There is only so much you can do in life and you have to look at all the bunnies you have helped and saved.some people are always willing to attack others.You have done everything in your power to help little Joey and what else can you do.I think it would be a good idea for you to have a break and reassess your life as there is only so much heart break a person can take and I think all the recent events have got to you.I want to give you a MASSIVE HUG
 
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