Cooni, I love you

[Sue and Kids]

Traci, I don't know the story behind this tragedy. I'm so sorry about what happened to sweet little Cooni. What an adorable kitty. I hope she is keeping Randy company now.

I hope the other two dear babies can get a good forever home soon. I know words are very empty and hollow when you're feeling this pain. This is a cruel world. I know that very well from volunteering at our local (no kill) Humane Society. But it's people like you (and the others here) who keep our hopes and spirits up that there are those who do care deeply and want the best for these precious animals.

((((((Hugs)))))),

Sue (and Kids!)

[Auntie Debbie]

Been thinking about you all day Traci....hope your heart is healing.

[Traci]

Thank you all for your thoughts, they are helping.

I sent a formal letter to the director and board members outlining my disappointment (i.e., disgust). To my surprise, the director is setting up a meeting with myself, her, a board member, and key staff on the 10th. I wasn't expecting a response at all, I was surprised they wanted a meeting. Wish me luck, mainly that I can keep my composure.

[Auntie Debbie]

I hope that will not only help bring some closure for you over this, but help any future animal in that shelter get a better fate.I wish you so much luck with this. (((HUGS)))

[k9Karen]

That's wonderful - maybe you can help them get it right. Look out though - they may ask you to come work for them as a 'consultant' or fund-raiser (probably unpaid). When you go to meet with them just keep remembering the old adage "you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar". Breath deeply and think only of the welfare of the animals, especially looking at making things better for any animals that end up in their care in the future.

I know we'll all be curious how it goes, so be sure to post and let us know what happens.

[Traci]

Karen, believe me, I feared what would occur is just what you said, or recruitment. Sure enough, during email exchange this weekend, the director has now stated she wants to invite a couple of the other rescue org directors to this meeting.

This is exactly what I was avoiding! The rescue directors are part of the problem!! What usually occurs is a group of nasty women get together and do nothing but b-t-ch and backstab everyone else, I want no part of it!

Of course, no one can manage to get corresponding hours for a meeting. The 10th appears to be (conveniently) out at this point.

I said nothing. If they can get their *&# in a group, I will attend, I am just not confident it's going to turn out well. Don't worry, I will keep my composure, I always do. The SO will be in attendance with me.

[k9Karen]

If that happens - take the high road. Refuse to play the blame game and be the adult in the group and try to keep everyone on task. Practice some phrases you can use to help redirect the conversation. Follow Henry Ford's advice, "You can do anything if you have enthusiasm."

I Googled for some things that you might use:
We are continually faced by great opportunities brilliantly disguised
as insoluble problems.
LIfe's greatest accomplishments are those that at first seem
impossible.
One step at a time is enough for me. Impatience is simply a way
of beating yourself up.
Constant effort and frequent mistakes are the stepping stones
to genius.
I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances."- Martha Washington

And one from me:
Lets not dwell on our differences, let's make a list of all the areas where we agree. (be sure to bring pen and paper)

[Traci]

Karen, thank you so much for your support, advice and encouragement! Those quotes help remind me to be strong and stick to my convictions.

Thing is, and I'm not making excuses,...

I've brought various things up with this shelter as well as the other rescue groups in the past. Of course I am always met with, oh my those are wonderful ideas, let's talk about them.

All good and well until the all-important-factor of listening is replaced with self-importance interruption. Never fails, every time.

I feel I'm being set up. The issue is shelter-specific, it doesn't require others outside of the shelter operations for discussion. Doesn't help when I supported privatization of this shelter while everyone else vehemently opposed it.

[k9Karen]

You know you can be strong without being b-tchy. Stick to the point that you are concerned about the welfare of the animals and you realize that there are different ways of looking at things, but the unnecessary death of Cooni points out that there there is a need to look for opportunities to improve. (The key here is to convince them that this is a sign of an opportunity as opposed to a need to fix something that's broken, although of course you know it is broken, and I suspect they do too, but the verbiage can affect the mood tremendously). Try to do it without be too judgemental because that will only invoke resistance and defensive posturing. It will also make you appear to be negative instead of positive and IMHO, you need to keep the conversation as positive as possible. You could offer to observe or train - maybe even lead meetings of staff to work on ways to improve. It would be as a volunteer, I'm sure, but you might be surprised by how many good ideas they might have if just given a chance to express them and implement them. I suspect everyone who works and volunteers there does so because of a love of animals, it's most likely the bureaucracy that's broken, not the people.

Good luck!!!!

[Traci]

Thank you again, Karen, I know I must have a positive attitude, it will just be hard to overcome, if meeting on the premises where Cooni succumbed and where other cats are at risk. I've made a habit of not going to the shelter for any other reason than to check up on a lost cat or drop off donations.

I do have a list of ideas/improvements in my head that I intend to bring up with them, and although I shouldn't have to train anyone there (one of their board members is a vet and does the surgeries there), I will offer ideas.

I have had a few bad experiences with the general manager before, I neither trust her to implement ideas nor is she able to communicate effectively. Barring that, I am more than willing to talk with the director and the veterinary board member.

I'm sure as well that the staff cares about the animals. But that's hardly their excuse for only having few volunteers and no supervision or training in monitoring pets for illness. The burnout ratio is incredibly high (as you can imagine).