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A raw and authentic podcast for those who work or volunteer in animal care, welfare, or activism, who are struggling with compassion fatigue, burnout, grief and loss, secondary traumatic stress, and other mental health concerns. Through both solo and guest episodes, I blend science, psychology, spirituality, and even a touch of "woo woo" to help you manage compassion fatigue, build resilience, and make your passion for helping animals sustainable. If you're involved in animal caregiving, rescue, trap-neuter return (TNR), sheltering, animal control, cruelty investigations, veterinary medicine, fostering, wildlife or marine rehabilitation and conservation, animal law or lobbying, ethical veganism, or any other role in animal care, welfare, or activism, and struggling with the consequences of caring so much that it hurts, this podcast is for you!
The host, Jen Blough, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor, compassion fatigue coach and speaker, and author with more than 35 years of experience in animal welfare and activism. She is the author of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior and the upcoming book, Beyond Compassion Fatigue.
Episodes
Friday Sep 05, 2025
Friday Sep 05, 2025
In this episode, I talk with Jo-Anne Barklay of Running Rabbit Farm to explore the often-overlooked emotional toll of rabbit rescue. While most people associate animal rescue with dogs and cats, rescuing bunnies comes with its own unique heartbreaks—and rewards.
Jo-Anne shares what inspired her to dedicate her life to rabbit rescue, the kinds of emotional challenges rescuers face after Easter and beyond, and how public misconceptions about rabbits as pets add to the stress. She opens up about her own experiences with compassion fatigue, what it looked like for her, and the ways she’s learned to cope and stay grounded in the work.
We also talk about:
- The grief, trauma, and burnout bunny rescuers silently carry
- What triggers compassion fatigue in this field
- Coping tools and the importance of compassion satisfaction
- How community support makes a difference
- What needs to change—both within rescue and in public attitudes
Jo-Anne closes with a story of two special rabbits that remind her why this hard work is worth it.
Resources mentioned:
- Learn more about Running Rabbit Farm: http://www.runningrabbitfarm.com/
- Follow Running Rabbit Farm on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066523036081
- Get in touch with Jo-Anne: bunnylady@runningrabbitfarm.com
- Get free compassion fatigue resources here: https://www.beyondcompassionfatigue.com/
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