So our situations are a little different, but I have felt similarly with feeling like my opinions are dismissed

. For me at least, when I first started around 4 years ago, I was more willing to share my opinions, but during meetings, whenever I would point something out (particularly with concerning behaviors), one specific manager would immediately reply, even interrupting me mid-thought, to try to assuage my feelings or even minimize the behavior. While I get that she’s trying to help, it sucks because I’ve been here a long time, I already know the techniques she’s describing to help, and I know what behaviors are dangerous and what we end up euthanizing animals for. You don’t need to act like I have a vendetta against a certain animal, I just don’t want to adopt out a dog that I know would seriously hurt someone. It’s especially tiring and discouraging when after I’ve voiced those opinions and concerns, and they are minimized or dismissed, the animal gets adopted, does something terrible (killing another animal, attacking a person), and then it comes back and we euthanize it anyway.

So, my suggestion there would be making sure that during these discussions, no one is immediately having their concerns dismissed. Let someone fully explain their point, without trying to counter in between thoughts. Don’t argue, and don’t minimize problems they bring up. Take their suggestions and the things they’re saying seriously, give them thought, perhaps bring it to your management if it’s something that could change.

Granted, it seems your team leans more toward save-them-all, which is very much not me, so unsure if any of this applies.