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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