r/AnimalShelterStories

I’m considering quitting fostering for my local shelter because the staff I work with is too disorganized, makes illogical decisions, communicates too slowly and negatively impacts my life over and over without regard.

I had no onboarding or training, no introductions to staff, when I try to have a discussion about my foster in person the staff acts like they have zero interest in having a conversation with me. Nobody tells me their names or asks for mine

They have me come in for foster support during open shelter hours where I have to wait in line for help behind the general public in the middle of my workday. Why wouldn’t you have volunteers come in before you open to save everyone time and effort?

I try to hold space for how much the staff is juggling outside of my specific needs. I understand things get messy, etc - but still - I’m pretty burnt out pretty quickly and it’s 90% because of how disorganized and disconnected they appear to be to me.

I think fostering isn’t aligned with my goals and capacity, as much as I love supporting the dogs, the shelter isn’t supporting me in that enough with resources or even consideration. Ex, shelter wouldn’t give my last foster dog with recurring emergency diarrhea a different food option

I chose this one because they seemed to need it the most - which is clearly true - but it’s exhausting for me to deal with them. I’m constantly on edge because I have zero framework or guidelines. My fosters are fed the cheapest cornmeal food and I’m told them having diarrhea is expected. I’ve had to hand cook food for all of them, as every single one of them gets emergency diarrhea that has kept me up all night, had accidents indoors, ruined my belongings

I could say a thousand positive things as well and I do have empathy behind my frustration but I’m exhausted.

How would you handle this? What is fair for me to expect? How can I prevent burn out so I can remain patient and empathetic?

I know I am being single minded in my frustration but the way they handle support and resourcing IS the cause for my burnout, not the dogs

Though it may equally be a lack of an ability to hold my own boundaries in the face of a dog in need.

Signed - exhausted and overwhelmed foster

For Animal Welfare Week, I want to recognize the people here who keep showing up for animals and for each other. The person working through another mountain of laundry. The volunteer sorting donations so someone can actually find what they need. The staff member helping a family access pet food. The person updating records, writing adoption bios, or making sure tomorrow’s supplies are ready.

Thank you. Those tasks take time, patience, and care, and they deserve recognition even when there isn’t a happy adoption photo attached.

When I asked shelter staff what volunteer help they needed beyond animal handling, I appreciated how many people took time out of already busy days to answer. Your responses helped me put together a podcast episode about the many ways people can support shelters.

One thing I wanted listeners to understand: volunteers should ask what would help your team before arriving with a plan. Your time matters, and you deserve support that actually makes your day easier.

For anyone working or volunteering in a shelter, who on your team deserves a little recognition this week? Or what’s something a volunteer did that made you feel supported?

You don’t need to name anyone or identify your shelter. I’d just love to make some room for appreciation of the people behind the work.