Animal
hoarding is defined by an inability to provide even minimal standards of
nutrition, sanitation, shelter, and veterinary care for a group of animals.
This often results in animal starvation, illness, and death. Pet
hoarding almost always starts out slowly with a manageable handful of pets but
then over time, the number of animals becomes not only unmanageable, but
completely out-of-control and a dangerous health hazard to the pet owner and
the pets. It is a complex issue that encompasses mental health, animal
welfare, and public safety concerns.
Animal
hoarders (once described as “collectors”) whose good intentions had gone wrong are
now recognized as individuals with a mental illness that can cause criminal
behavior with horrific consequences for animals, the hoarders’ families, and
their communities. In the majority of
cases, animal hoarders believe they are helping their animals and deny this
inability to provide minimum care. Animals collected range from cats and dogs
to reptiles, rodents, birds, exotics and even farm animals. 72% of hoarders are women and the most common
animal victims of hoarders are cats then dogs. Anyone can become a pet hoarder,
but statistically, most are female; half are over age 60 and most live alone
A
single hoarding case involves dozens (if not hundreds) of animals can easily
bankrupt a local humane society or shelter, and severely strain volunteer
resources, and the cost to local authorities and law enforcement officials
remains ongoing. Pet
hoarding almost always starts out slowly with a manageable handful of pets but
then over time, the number of animals becomes not only unmanageable, but
completely out-of-control and a dangerous health hazard to the pet owner and
the pets. If you think you know of an animal hoarder, here are some
things to look for:
Is the owner’s home in a state of disrepair -One of the tell-tale signs of an animal
hoarding situation is the look of the house. If it seems like the home is in
poor condition on the outside (i.e. filthy windows or outside features, junk
and garbage in the backyard, an unkempt lawn), chances are the inside is just
as bad. You may even smell a strong odor of urine or feces from just standing
outside of the home. If there are animals in and out of the home, seemingly on
free will, that may also be a good indication of animal hoarding. Some window
panes may be knocked out or holes in the walls may let animals easily in and
out. Dogs and cats may freely pass in and out of the home and if you notice
that it seems like a different dog or cat each time, chances are it is a
hoarding situation.
Do they seem isolated-Hoarders usually try to keep their
hoarding to themselves and may become isolated. Being neighborly may or may not
be a thing. Inviting yourself into someone’s home is never a good idea or
polite to do, but if you happen to notice that no one really comes in and out
of the house, including the owner, it may be a red flag. Keep in mind that
there is a difference between minding one’s own business and being reclusive.
Call the right people-You may come to the decision that the
residence in question is most likely a hoarding situation. Who do you call? Call
the local humane law enforcement department, police, animal welfare
organization, or veterinarian. All these
people and organizations are specifically equipped to deal with the various
steps of dealing with hoarding situations. Never take it upon yourself to
confront the person in question. Always seek help.
Get the person help-Not every animal hoarder will want help.
Calling the right authorities is a great step towards helping them. Law
enforcement and animal welfare organizations will know best how to confront the
hoarder(s) about the touchy subject of getting help. You may feel bad at first,
but hoarding can be a sign of underlying mental illness and the person
may be exhibiting these behaviors for help. Regardless if the person who was
hoarding the animal’s wants help, the removal of the animals is they’re and the
animals first step towards recovery.
Don’t be confrontational or judgmental-Passing judgment is an easy way to deal
with your outrage towards the situation. Animal abuse is not to be taken
lightly, but you should also try to remember even if the hoarding situation is
ghastly, that the hoarder is a person too. The Anxiety and Depression
Association of America (ADAA), has articles that are helpful when trying to
comprehend how animal and object
hoarding
usually happens. The old saying “put yourself in someone else’s shoes” may seem
hard to do when it comes to animal abuse, but traumatic experiences, mental
illness, and feeling alone usually trigger animal hoarding.
Keep an eye out-Hoarders of any kind can easily fall
back into their ways. If you suspect that the hoarder has regressed back to
their hoarding ways, call authorities. They will investigate and take the
appropriate actions. Never confront the hoarder. Always seek help.
Adopt-One of the ways that you can help
animals that have been affected by hoarding is adoption. The Humane
Society
cites that there are “250,000 animals each year affected by animal hoarding.”
If you can provide a safe, healthy, and loving home for an animal in need,
there are many animals that are up for adoption.
“For
animals that are overworked, underfed, and cruelly treated; for all wistful
creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars; for any that are
hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put to
death...and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion and
gentle hands and kindly words.” (Albert Schweitzer) [i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“7
Ways to Help out in an Animal Hoarding Situation” by Sydney Chromack
·
“Animal Hoarders: The Illness and the
Crime” by Flager Humane Society
·
“Animal
Hoarding Facts” by ALDF
·
“Animal
Hoarding” by ASPCA
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