Workers at Australia's animal shelters are being left emotionally scarred by witnessing the deaths of thousands of pets and wild animals put down each year, according to a recent study.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The research, published by the RSPCA, found that the procedures can be stressful for staff, particularly in animal shelters and vet clinics.
''They [staff] generally choose this line of work in order to provide care to animals, and euthanasia creates a 'caring-killing' paradox in staff,'' the study said. ''It can compound over time and has been linked to emotions such as sadness, anxiety, guilt, anger and dissatisfaction with life.''
RSPCA acting chief executive officer Jane Gregor said ''compassion fatigue'' was often seen in animal shelters due to the close connection between staff and animals.
''We have such an empathy working with the animals so it does cause stress,'' she said. ''We now have veterinarians do the euthanasia because they don't get as strong an emotional attachment as the staff that spends all day with the animals.''
About 3000 animals were put down by the RSPCA in the ACT last year because of medical or behavioural problems.
Ms Gregor said that while the RSPCA had an external ''employee assistance program'' which included confidential counselling there was room for more training.
''We are lucky the [assistance] program is provided for us as funding can be difficult for a charity,'' she said. ''It is something government need to look at in the animal industry as a whole. ''
RSPCA ACT wildlife operations manager Simon Yates said staff found it particularly hard to cope with the animal deaths due to the extended time animals spend in their care.
''If wildlife can't be released they have to be euthanised and this is difficult for people to deal with and even understand,'' he said. ''Tears fall and emotional burnouts can be dramatic.''
Mr Yates said that although some support was available, the RSPCA was a charity and therefore understaffed and underfinanced.
''Despite this being a rewarding place to work it is hard for people to take breaks for emotional stress as it puts pressure on the team as a whole because we are extremely understaffed,'' he said.
