Please support Kelly McCartney's Medical Recovery

Few, outside of those of us in animal welfare, understand the sacrifices made to save animals. We're literally always on the job. The needs of animals infiltrate every aspect of our lives; we experience it at work, we bring it home, and it haunts us in our sleeping hours, if there is any sleep to be had. We're exposed to high levels of stress every day, we're stricken with depression, compassion fatigue, and we neglect our personal needs. It’s almost impossible to find coping mechanisms that help alleviate all this. We can't set boundaries, and we hardly ever say ‘no’. It's all to our detriment.

Despite being some of the most selfless people on the planet, we're also some of the most criticized - both from outside influences and from within ourselves. We're pushed to do more, be more and give more, and we do - because animals need us. The pressure is all consuming and it's crushing - impacting our mental and physical health. But it's seldom talked about. The burnout, the physical symptoms of stress, the chronic depression and the self-isolation: all are hallmarks of a rescuer.

Kelly McCartney has been a staple in our local animal welfare community, as the director of the Buffalo City Animal Shelter, for over 27 years. As you can imagine, the commitment required to remain in this field for that long doesn't come without consequences. Kelly has remained in an industry that has a way of chewing people up and spitting them out, breaking them, and draining them dry - for nearly 3 decades. Kelly has been charged, over her tenor, with the care of tens of thousands of animals. She has brought the shelter from just a building housing Animal Control for the City of Buffalo to a place that has a caring Volunteer program and an Adoption program with mandatory spay/neuter and works in conjunction with the “Friends of the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter” to get the animals vaccinated and tends to their medical needs. She has worked very hard to make the shelter relevant. In addition to her duties as Shelter Director, Kelly recently became responsible for the care of her aging aunt who has Alzheimer’s.

While Kelly was busy taking care of animals in the shelter, caring for her personal pets and several fosters throughout the years, she did what many of us do - put our needs, and our mental and physical wellbeing on the back burner. Kelly sacrificed. She paid no mind to her aches and pains. She pushed through it all until she couldn't any longer.

Today, Kelly is in a medically induced coma. She entered the hospital last week with a complaint of intense pain. After several days of testing and imaging, she was rushed into surgery. While under anesthesia, Kelly had a heart related event and coded on the table. Doctors worked continuously until they were able to resuscitate her, but there was so much damage. Her body now needs time to focus on healing.

Kelly's life hangs in the balance. After caring for animals and people alike, Kelly should have the backing and prayer of every person she has ever helped along the way. She should have the goodwill from every animal saved on her watch. Her sacrifices should come back to her tenfold, by way of support.

Employees of CBAS are pleading Kelly's case with the City's union because she has spent all of her personal time caring for her aunt. Now, Kelly is in need. It is time for her to be the focus, and for us, the community, to shed light on the sacrifices rescuers make and at what expense. It is time for us to back Kelly in her hour of greatest need.

Kelly has supported so many people and so many pets over the years, and now we're calling on you to help her. Kelly will be out of work for a considerable amount of time. We're raising money to help support Kelly while she gets back on her feet. No one who has given so much should have to fight this hard alone. Any amount given is so appreciated and will help cover medical bills, household bills, and any out-of-pocket expenses while Kelly is unable to work. Please share, share, and share this effort so that Kelly can recover without worry. Thank you all!!