Animal Hoarding

[lizbud]

People say they know their limits where animal companions are concerned, but how do you know when you have crossed the line & become one?

Do you know anyone who fits the description?

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=11545614

[CatsMeow]

That's just cruel! They weren't taking care of them, they were killing them!

[Catherinedana]

With some people, one or two animals is too much. I don't know how we can stop people from taking in animals that they don't know how to care for or get tired of caring for or who think that their animals living in a hoarding situation are healthy but I do know that we can report people who are abusing and/or hoarding animals. WE MUST!!

Most of my birds were taken in as rescues and god only knows what they went through because they had been surrendered to the wild bird sanctuary where I volunteer. The others were bought from pet shops and one from a breeder, but still, 15 quaker parrots in one cage. 20 budgies in one cage with dirty water. What does this say about the care that these birds receive from the stores and breeders who are supposed to know what to do!?!

I am at bird saturation point now and although I have been approached to take birds that others could not care for I have to say no. I can't tell you how it breaks my heart, but I can't afford to add anymore birds and it will also cut into the time I have for my current birds who are established as my flock and who need my attention. People who are giving up their pets must research who they are giving them to and not just be so relieved that they found someone, anyone(!), who will take them. That is part of our responsibility toward them.

I know I'm preaching to the choir here because you all love and care for your pets the way they need to be cared for. Just please keep your eyes open. . .

Cathy and the FLock

[krazyaboutkatz]

I love animals but I know my own personal limit. I've been watching "Animal Hoarders" on Animal Planet and I'm just amazed at how these people don't even think that they have a problem or if they do they don't know how to reach out for help.

[cassiesmom]

we can report people who are abusing and/or hoarding animals.

I think that's the key, but done in a kind and caring way, with the animals' best interests in mind, rather than being punitive.

There was a sad story on the news here a few months ago about horses that were removed from a setting where they were being neglected. They were taken to a rescue organization where they received veterinary check-ups, clean water and started on a nutritionally correct diet for horses. The spokesperson for the organization said they were all expected to do well with proper care.

[Medusa]

I take a tougher stance than most, I guess, about animal hoarders. If they need counseling, and it's apparent that many do, then they should get it AFTER they serve jail sentences longer than 90 days and AFTER they pay stiff fines. Perhaps if others see that animal hoarding will no longer be tolerated, they might think twice before taking in any more animals.

Some do begin w/good intentions but I'm not buying that they just didn't realize how bad conditions became. Just a couple of days ago I watched a program about one hoarder whose house was in such deplorable, filthy, unsanitary conditions that I had to keep changing the channel. His furniture was shredded, urinated and defecated on, he didn't have sheets on his bed b/c they'd all been ruined, feces was a couple of inches high in one room and down the hall, feces was on his stove ! and elsewhere. His ailing wife had to move out b/c it was affecting her health so badly, especially after having surgery. We're supposed to believe that he didn't notice those things? And we're supposed to believe that he "loves" those cats but yet allows them to live in squalor and filth, w/o vet care and many of them w/URI's? Nope, not buying it. Charges weren't pressed against him b/c he cooperated w/authorities and surrendered the cats, even though he had previously ignored letters from them. He said that he was afraid, which tells me that he knew what he was doing was wrong and he made no effort whatsoever to clean his house up and care for those cats. That's where a mistake was made. He should've been fined and jailed as an example to other hoarders to clean up their act or pay the price. I doubt that he learned anything from the experience other than you can live like a pig w/animals and there will be no penalty for it if you cooperate w/authorities and surrender the animals. It made me furious!

[smokey the elder]

There was a person in my rescue who turned out to be a hoarder. She got very sick, and some volunteers went into the house. She had claimed 18 cats; there were actually over 50 and about 8 had to be euthanized. They are being resocialized and are doing well.

[phesina]

I take a tougher stance than most, I guess, about animal hoarders. If they need counseling, and it's apparent that many do, then they should get it AFTER they serve jail sentences longer than 90 days and AFTER they pay stiff fines. Perhaps if others see that animal hoarding will no longer be tolerated, they might think twice before taking in any more animals.

Some do begin w/good intentions but I'm not buying that they just didn't realize how bad conditions became. Just a couple of days ago I watched a program about one hoarder whose house was in such deplorable, filthy, unsanitary conditions that I had to keep changing the channel. His furniture was shredded, urinated and defecated on, he didn't have sheets on his bed b/c they'd all been ruined, feces was a couple of inches high in one room and down the hall, feces was on his stove ! and elsewhere. His ailing wife had to move out b/c it was affecting her health so badly, especially after having surgery. We're supposed to believe that he didn't notice those things? And we're supposed to believe that he "loves" those cats but yet allows them to live in squalor and filth, w/o vet care and many of them w/URI's? Nope, not buying it. Charges weren't pressed against him b/c he cooperated w/authorities and surrendered the cats, even though he had previously ignored letters from them. He said that he was afraid, which tells me that he knew what he was doing was wrong and he made no effort whatsoever to clean his house up and care for those cats. That's where a mistake was made. He should've been fined and jailed as an example to other hoarders to clean up their act or pay the price. I doubt that he learned anything from the experience other than you can live like a pig w/animals and there will be no penalty for it if you cooperate w/authorities and surrender the animals. It made me furious!

And if that guy wasn't charged for this but just let go back home, I bet anything he's accumulating more cats again.

[Twisterdog]

Perhaps if others see that animal hoarding will no longer be tolerated, they might think twice before taking in any more animals.

I have dealt with quite a few hoarders personally over the past couple of decades, working with shelters and humane societies. Without fail every single one of them went on to hoard again, and again, at every opportunity. Some have done jail time, some have been court-ordered into mental health evalutations and counseling. And yet, given the slightest opportunity, the first thing they do is start grabbing up animals.

It sickens and infuriates me as much as the next person, but I've also talked to and dealt with these people personally. Not saying every person with too many animals is a true hoarder, but a true hoarder is mentally ill. They do not see reality. It's just as real a mental issue as bi-polar disorder or schitzophrenia ... one does not simply stop being mentally ill because they served jail time or paid a fine. It's not a choice they can make.