What shelters can do about euthanasia-related stress: an examination of recommendations from those on the front line

• Published in: Journal of applied animal welfare science Vol. 10; no. 4; pp. 331 - 347
• Main Authors: Rogelberg, S.G, DiGiacomo, N, Reeve, C.L, Spitzmuller, C, Clark, O.L, Teeter, L, Walker, A.G, Carter, N.T, Starling, P.G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2007
• Subjects: Adult; animal rescue shelters; animal technicians; Animals; coping strategies; euthanasia; Euthanasia, Animal; euthanasia-related stress; Female; human resources management; Humans; Male; psychological stress; shelter workers; stress management; Stress, Psychological; surveys; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States; Veterinarians - psychology; United States
• ISSN: 1088-8705; 1532-7604
• DOI: 10.1080/10888700701353865

Shelter employees with euthanasia responsibilities are an at-risk population for a variety of psychological and emotional ailments. This study surveyed 305 employees from 62 shelters throughout the United States to gather first-hand perspectives on what should be done to assist shelter workers in dealing with euthanasia-related stress. Researchers conducted a qualitative analysis of 359 improvement suggestions to identify broad common themes and sorted the suggestions into 26 thematic categories. The most common participant suggestion concerned management supportive-ness (13.17% of participants). Some other issues raised involved providing counseling, job rotation, assistance or more help, breaks and time off, support groups and meetings, better communication, skills-based training, stress and coping seminars, and employee appreciation and morale-boosting initiatives.