November 28th 2024.
Rachel Halliday, a kennel assistant at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, sat down with us to share her passion for animals and her experiences working at the shelter. She spoke of the joy she feels when she sees dogs being rehomed, but also acknowledged the emotional toll the job can take.
From a young age, Rachel has always been drawn to animals of all shapes and sizes. She fondly remembers playing with her grandparent's dogs, Kim and Pepe, in their garden. She even pestered her parents for a puppy every birthday and Christmas, resulting in a collection of stuffed dog toys. Her love for animals led her to work with various creatures, from fish to birds to monkeys, before settling on dogs for the past four and a half years.
After finishing school, Rachel pursued a degree in Geology at the University of Aberdeen in 2011. However, she quickly realized that she wanted a career that would allow her to be outdoors and active, rather than sitting in front of a computer all day. She eventually decided to study animal care, which ultimately led her to her current position.
Rachel's workday begins at 8am, where she greets the dogs in the kennel and lets them out to stretch their legs. After a thorough cleaning of the kennels, it's time for breakfast. She carefully measures out each dog's food, adding in some tasty meat for the picky eaters. Some dogs even have special slow feeders to prevent them from gobbling up their food too quickly.
Once breakfast is finished, the dogs usually relax for a bit before it's time for their walks. Rachel and her colleagues take the dogs to large enclosed paddocks for a good run around or to the beach for a dip in the water or a dig in the sand. She loves seeing the more stressed dogs let loose and have fun.
For dogs with behavioral issues, such as not knowing how to interact with others, Rachel and the other staff work with them to address these problems. They also create training plans for dogs who need a little extra support, such as gaining confidence or learning that the world is not such a scary place.
Rachel's workdays are never the same, and she enjoys the flexibility of her job. She may have a plan for the day, but it can easily change within the first 10 minutes. Working with animals means always being on your toes and adapting to their needs.
One of the most rewarding parts of Rachel's job is seeing the dogs find their forever homes. She describes it as a beautiful thing to witness, especially when she receives updates from the new owners. It can be emotional, especially for the dogs who had a difficult time in the kennel. Seeing them lounging on a couch, happy and relaxed, makes all the hard work worth it.
Although Rachel tries not to get too attached to the dogs, it's inevitable. She spends a lot of time with the long-term residents and more challenging dogs, so it's natural to form strong bonds with them. Saying goodbye to them when they are adopted can be bittersweet, but it's all part of the job.
However, there are also tough moments at the shelter. Rachel shares that they have been receiving a high volume of surrender requests lately, where people want to give up their pets for various reasons. She has noticed a trend of dogs with separation anxiety and reactivity, which she believes stems from the lack of socialization during lockdown. It can be heartbreaking to see neglected dogs come into the shelter, some with severe health issues that prevent them from being rehomed.
Despite the challenges, Rachel loves her job and finds it incredibly rewarding. However, she admits that it can be physically and emotionally demanding. After giving the dogs their dinner and saying goodnight, she finishes her workday at 4:30. In the winter months, she looks forward to coming home and taking a hot bath to defrost. She even jokes about calling ahead to have the bath pre-run, so she can hop right in.
Rachel believes it's essential to make time for friends and to unwind after a long day at work. She enjoys hanging out with her friends and participating in a pub quiz every now and then. As she finishes sharing her experiences, she encourages others to read more about life at the shelter in the Life With series and to subscribe to Scottish Field magazine for the latest issue.
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