Whether it's compassion fatigue or simply being weary (mental OR physical), we're not at our best.

As clients, we need to remember that our veterinarian isn't super-human and needs some time off - just like we need time away from our jobs.

Showing appreciation, as you've indicated, can be a great revitalizer for those who care for Fluffy and Fido. Regardless of the line of business, it's always nice to know that one's efforts and hard work are appreciated. Positive reinforcement is a powerful thing.

I didn't realize there was a term for the sadness and exhaustion I feel when it comes to animals. I volunteer for some groups and always see sad animal stories on my Facebook wall and wish I could do more.

A neighbor is harming a feral colony in my neighborhood and the stress of dealing with that is also taking its toll.

I help so many animals in need, and end up with pets who have multiple health issues. The cost of care also causes more stress and financial hardship, but I am determined to do my best.

I sometimes envy people who do not see these harsh realities, but I also know I cannot turn my back on these types of issues. I feel like every time I do something nice for animals, I somehow have to deal with repercussions whether they are financial, or they affect my emotional well-being, or sometimes even my relationships with people.

But then I look at these cats who would not have made it without my help and realize they are the ones who saved me. They give me purpose. They need me and that's the reason I keep on going.

This happens to all care-givers, who care. I've cared for People, until God called them Home...Hurt yes, but to know they were loved, and given the best of care. Gaves a inter-peace. Now, my life is to care for old unwanted Dogs (my Pet-Kids) My hope is one-day their Family, will be able to take them home....they have 3 years, after that they are mine....love is Love, to really care, is a Gife, just need more of us. Thank-you Doctor Coates for a job well done

every now and then helps. I help care for 3 feral colonies, one of which isn't really feral. The one at the school is mostly abandoned housecats. They started with something like 23 and now there are just 6, most were adopted by the teachers, staff or families of students. We, that is our group, helped them build housing and feeding stations, get the ones who weren't fixed neutered and establish "rules" for taking care of the cats. Every spring, just before school lets out for the summer, they establish a network for care and send us a thank you card listing the names and phone numbers of the caregivers for the summer...just the fact that they care so much for these animals makes me happier.

Thank you, Dr. Coates. I have been involved in breed rescue for 12 years and I spent seven of those years employed in the animal welfare field where I not only had an "administrative" job but was often called on to help with euthanasia, make decisions about euthanasia, and had to remain positive with all the ones who so nonchalantly dumped their animals on us.

My compassion fatigue resulted in negative feelings about humans. I haven't overcome that but now in my rescue work I avoid the personal contacts with those who surrender and dedicate my time to caring for special needs dogs. Yes, it is heart-breaking and it doesn't do a lot to lighten the compassion fatigue in some ways, but the joys of saving a life certainly help. Their gratitude is all I need.

Many people do not know or understand what this life of helping others does to us on an emotional level. Thank you for enlightening them and sharing our pain.

How nice that the people took their time to thank you for your care! More of us should do that, too. Thanks for posting.

...but I will sure try until CF sets in.

Dr. Coates thank you for identifying the technical name for all the mental, physical and emotional pain we experience and also for your personal story.

I share the sentiments of all the commenters. I just can't turn away from a dog or cat that I see on the street as I'm walking or jogging, going about my daily life. I just can't. Like another commenter, sometimes I wish I didn't move to this neighborhood, was ignorant to the plight of homeless animals, my life would be different, but would it be as fulfilled? Definitely not.

But now I worry CF may start to take its toll on me. this is NOT due to physical involvement with pets. I'm actually leading an effort to expose another corporate bully from eliminating healthy, harmless outdoor, sterilized cats at the Loews Hotels in Orlando. I've often heard and seen hotels and businesses do this. But this case is different. They had successful TNRM program for years led by employees. But one new Regional Director of Operations, Mr. David Bartek came along and decided no more cats. The word "shocked" is an understatement. I've stayed up most nights to 1am, 2am writing about it, on social media, and even drove up to Orlando to feed the starving cats. I could not believe how sitting on my computer for 3,4,6 hours straight would consume and drain me physically and emotionally. Always holding back a flood of tears to keep going, to keep fighting. But the physical signs are starting to appear. So now I'm reaching out to other strategic thinkers. Without health, I can not save future cats. We hope readers will join us in educating the masses about outdoor community cats. www.riverfrontcats.com www.facebook.com/SaveLoewsCats