Who Takes Care of the People Who Care for Animals?

We talk a great deal about the animals at De Hun’nenhoff. Perhaps we talk too little about the people who care for them every day.

Our staff care for severely disabled dogs, clean their living spaces, change dressings, administer medication and support animals that can no longer manage many everyday activities on their own.

This work is physically demanding. But its emotional impact is often underestimated.

There is the dog whose condition deteriorates despite everyone’s best efforts. Another has been in our care for years and must eventually be allowed to go. And while we are still grieving the loss of one animal, the next tasks are already waiting.

On top of this, there are requests from desperate people asking us to take in animals, expectations from outside and the knowledge that our resources are limited.

People who work in animal welfare are expected to be compassionate, resilient, patient and, if possible, always friendly. But who asks how long a person can keep this up?

Our staff also experience exhaustion, frustration, grief and, at times, helplessness. Not every loss can simply be brushed aside. Not every distressing situation ends when the working day is over.

This presents a particular risk: people who are deeply committed to their work often fail to notice their own limits until they have already exceeded them.

As a foundation, we must therefore also ask ourselves whether we provide enough space for conversation, support and dealing with loss.

Because a love of animals alone does not protect anyone from becoming overwhelmed.

Professional distance does not mean a lack of affection. It may be necessary in order to remain able to care for animals in the long term.

Good animal welfare requires more than people with big hearts. It also requires working conditions that ensure those hearts do not eventually become exhausted.

Caring for our animals and caring for our staff must not be treated as opposing priorities.