The Controversy of Animal Hoarding

Several e-mails I've received asked, “What’s the difference between animal hoarding and an animal lover?”

An animal lover may have multiple pets. The owner/s of the animals must take daily care of their pets, such as feeding them, providing fresh water daily, cleaning up the poop, making sure their pets don’t have ticks or fleas, and taking their pets to the vet at least once a year. It is really important to make sure our pets have a clean home, because if they don’t chaos and diseases can have fatal consequences.

Many people, who hoard animals, have mental illnesses such as depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and delusional behavior. Animal hoarders tend to think, “I’m saving these pets from being killed at an animal shelter.” Living in unsanitary conditions will cause diseases to our pets such as, rabies, rashes on their skin, Breast Cancer, fever, coughing, and even malaria.

In addition dogs and cats need a free space to roam around the house or outside the back yard. Having dogs and cats caged up all day takes a toll on their psychological and physical health.

Most importantly, any animal guardian must make time to spend with their pets. Walking them on a daily bases, bathing them at least once a month, and even taking them to dog training or behavioral classes is significant. Also, if a person can no longer maintain their animals financially and emotionally, it’s time to find a new home for that animal.

Animal hoarders are not bad people. They need help to realize they are doing more damage rather than helping their animals. Most of the time, the pets of an animal hoarder suffer because they do not receive the medical attention they need.

If animals are found malnourished and really sick, legal action such as Animal Cruelty charges can be charged to the pet owners. If a animal hoarder is willing to cooperate with the Humane Society and willing to seek psychological help, the charges can be dropped.

Owning a pet is not a right... it's a privilege.

If you know an animal hoarder please reach out to them and call your local humane society.