Today is Animal Sanctuary Caregivers Day – a day to honor the hard work that sanctuary caregivers do every day.
J.B. and I would like to give a huge thanks to all of the caregivers at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, including current staff caregivers (all of whom contribute to this blog among their other varied duties!): Katelyn, Anna, Kelsi, Chad, Grace, Jenna, Sofía, and Sabrina; current Level III volunteer caregivers: Lizz, Keri, Elizabeth, Patti, Lisa, Anthony, Courtney, Krissy, and Dusty, and to all of the interns, volunteers and former staff and volunteer caregivers!!
Since expanding the sanctuary and welcoming the Wildlife Waystation chimpanzees over the last few years, we have also expanded the number of paid caregiving staff. This was necessary to properly care for the chimpanzees, but has also been a boon to the sanctuary because each person who has worked here brings their own unique ideas, experience, and perspective that help improve the care of the chimpanzees and bovines and advance the sanctuary in so many ways.
Caregiving is not an easy occupation physically or emotionally, and it takes a special kind of person to do this work. Burnout and compassion fatigue are serious issues amongst sanctuary caregivers, so it’s important that they know how valued and appreciated they are.
We are incredibly lucky to have this crew of talented and caring humans that have chosen to work for the sanctuary and have embraced the difficult aspects of the job along with the joyous moments.
Thank you all. We love you!
Katelyn with Dora:
Anna with Foxie:
Kelsi with Negra:
Chad with Burrito:
Grace with Cy & Lucky:
Jenna with Jamie:
Sofía with Nutmeg:
Sabrina with Lucky:
