PetRescue visits MercyCare’s Amber Youth Wellness

Our Managing Director Pats often visits schools and workplaces to chat about PetRescue’s vision for the future of pets and the current state of the animal welfare sector. Recently she visited the wonderfully welcoming folks at MercyCare’s Amber Youth Wellness - a youth mental health outreach service.

Pats (along with furry rescue sidekick Tia) chatted to the staff and clients at MercyCare about the areas of PetRescue’s work, big initiatives, and approach towards progress in our sector, the pound system, and why reform is needed in this area. Another area of discussion was urban stray cats, the community cat program, and why desexing urban stray cats is a win for everyone! 

Pats also explored the interesting topic of breed stereotyping and why a pet’s appearance alone isn’t a good indicator of their behaviour, which the attendees found insightful. It was great to have an informal chat with the staff and clients about their own pets, and hear about the huge impact that these souls have on their lives.

Interestingly, when discussing the important topic of compassion fatigue, burnout and mental health in the rescue sector, the counselling staff drew a lot of parallels between this and their own experiences working in the youth wellness sector. PetRescue’s member insights survey found that 93% of rescue workers reported suffering from compassion fatigue or burnout. The conversation highlighted the importance of continuing to discuss these shared human experiences.

We love getting out and about and speaking to folks from all walks of life about rescue pets, and our mission to create a future where every pet is safe, respected and loved. If you’re interested in organising a visit from PetRescue to your school or workplace (in person or virtually!), please get in touch with us at info@petrescue.org.au.