Hoarding is a psychological disease, just like schitzophrenia or paranoia. This is not something this woman chose, anymore than someone chooses to be bi-polar or depressed.

What this woman needs is counseling, help, perhaps medication. Hoarders genuinely believe they are helping. They are always the last to know how far in over their heads they are. They do not see it, period.

I've seen many case of animal hoarding over the years. It is a tragedy ... for the animals, to be sure, but also for the person. These people seem to never have a social network, backup or help. Just like the mentally disable person living under a bridge and eating garbage ... society has failed these people. And, having failed to see and care and act, we then only want to punish. To what end? Fine her? She probably can't pay it. Maybe they'll take her possessions to pay the fine, garnish her wages. What does that solve? Put her in jail? That won't help. She will come out of jail with the same illness she went in with, and in less than a week, she'll "save" another cat.

She needs help. Real help. All hoarders do. All mentally ill people do.