Caregiving can mean many different things. It might be associated with offering shelter and love to foster pets, working in the field of veterinary medicine, or advocating tirelessly for animals. Or, it could also relate to caring for a pet with a terminal illness or at the end of his or her life.

For those of us who love animals and cherish our work and lives with them, compassion fatigue is often a reality and creating ways to nurture ourselves is often overlooked.

Self-Care for Animal Caregivers

Many of us who have a heart for pets of all kinds often feel the emotional weight of loving a pet or pets whose lives are much shorter than we’d like. Couple this reality with some of the atrocities faced by animals, the overwhelmed shelters, and the sheer number of animals wandering the streets as strays, and it is understandable we there is fatigue among us.

As animal caregivers, we may have to make tough decisions, and as pet guardians, almost all of us have had to say goodbye to a pet or pets.

That is why it is so important to have support and opportunities for emotional renewal.

Here are some of our favorite self-care tips for those who give so much to pets.

  1. Seek support – This is especially true if you are taking care of a sick or dying pet. Take at least one day off from your role as caretaker by asking a friend or family member to lend a hand. Not only will it be important for practical assistance, but emotional support as well.
  2. Take some time for rest and enjoyment – Try and get at least 7 good hours of sleep a night, or schedule some time for relaxing activities, such as a massage, a home-cooked meal, or a day on the trails.
  3. Talk to others who love animals – If possible, connect with others who work in the fields of animal care or rescue – or look online for groups devoted to a cause. Seven Hills Veterinary Hospital offers online resources if you are in need of pet loss and grief support.
  4. Take a mini-vacation – Hire a professional pet sitter, take a vacation from your pet care duties, or find some way to get away from the stress by allowing yourself at least a weekend of down time.
  5. Stay active – Sometimes just a 30 minute walk or run can make a huge difference in attitude and outlook, as well as provide needed exercise. Better yet, walk with a friend and fellow pet lover!
  6. Spend some time around young energy – If you have lost a pet or are feeling down about the emotional toll of the caregiving you have done, a good way to find a bit of joy and laughter is through hanging out with a puppy or kitten. Consider helping housetrain a foster puppy or spend some time snuggling kittens at the shelter. They’re absolute zeal and zaniness can help lift your spirits.
  7. Know you can’t do it all and be OK with this – As pet rescue volunteers, veterinarians and vet techs, foster pet parents, and caregivers, we can often push ourselves to do more for animals each day. And, while this is a part of what makes us committed to our work, it’s also important to realize we can’t do it all. It’s OK to do our best and give ourselves a break from time to time.

To all of the caregivers, pet rescuers, guardians, veterinary professionals, and animal lovers, thank you for the work you do! You are amazing.