Animal welfare people…is this normal?

I (WM 50) recently spent (aka wasted) a year of my life working at a large animal shelter as their HR leader. I thought this would have been a perfect job after spending all of my career in Corporate America that would combine my experience with my love for animals. I thought I’d find passionate people. I did in fact find them. But was unprepared for the collection of unwelcoming sociopaths firmly entrenched in victim culture that made up 99% of the workforce from the top down. They had no interest in any POV that even remotely diverted from their own. If they were challenged on something they would instantly hold you hostage by saying that they felt unsafe or unsupported. They claimed to have a wonderful culture (despite the abysmal glassdoor ratings to the contrary) yet they peddled in deceit and dysfunction at every turn.

The 75% majority female (or female assigned at birth) openly demonized and ostracized men. For example comments like “we don’t need more men here,” and “that’s like getting fucked without lube,” we’re commonplace. And let’s be real, if a man had made such comments he’d have been strung up by his nuts in the parking lot. The leader of the org would also openly discriminate against men by only giving women raises (and going behind HRs back to do so).

Examples of embezzlement, harassment and even a murder suicide are hallmarks of this organization. The ever growing hoard of they/thems was ready to pounce on people who inadvertently misgendered them was a nightmare. Sorry I missed that you rolled out of bed today and decided to be a boy when just yesterday you wanted to be a girl. Before you gasp and clutch your pearls, the only sane person that I was friendly with there was a trans man and shared my point of view.

When these employees decided they didn’t like the ceo they organized a letter writing campaign to the board of directors which led to the CEOs ouster. They wanted all decisions both big and small to be decided on by consensus of the entire org…it was maddening.

There was so much more. I’m really not sure why I’m typing this other than it may be a small bit of catharsis🤷‍♂️. I suppose I’m wondering if all animal welfare professionals (a term I use very loosely in this instance ) are abject sociopaths??? It seems to me that this industry attracts people that are broken in one way or another…as evidenced by the behavior and the large pile of workplace accusation requests I had to deal with. One person wanted the name of a dog changed because it was triggering for them as it was the name of her ex she didn’t like anymore….the dog’s name was Gary. Another wanted everyone to accommodate their self diagnosed agoraphobia, schizophrenia and terets and would use these as an excuse for poor performance. The list goes on and on and on.

Ok. I’m rambling now. Suffice it to say I don’t work there and am better for it. The only good thing that came from there are the two dogs curled up next to me on the couch. I’ll end with this. If you work in animal welfare, thank you for doing such important work. If you’re thinking of going into animal welfare, consider this a cautionary tale….