Animal Hoarding

We've all heard about animal hoarding, and may have even seen shows about it. Its a horrible situation for the animals, and even their owners.

Animal hoarding is the collection of animals and usually results in inadequate care of all of the "collected" animals. Usually the owners who hoard claim that they love all of their animals and truly believe that the animals in their care are receiving enough food and attention. Statistics show that more than 75% of hoarders are female and almost 50% of those women are over the age of 60. These women also tend to be single. These statistics show the "profile" of what an animal hoarder looks like.

Many times the owners don't have the time or patience to litter or potty train any of their animals so their houses are full of urine and covered in feces. Not only do they not have the time to properly train their animals in all aspects, but they also fail to clean up after themselves. They usually feel overwhelmed with worrying about taking proper care of all the animals, that they tend to forget about themselves. They collect animals passively, and don't try to personally add to their "collection."

There are 3 different classes or groups of hoarders:
1. The Overwhelmed Caregiver: These people tend to consider their animals their family, and tend to deny that the animals are being held in bad conditions. These people eventually become overwhelmed by the care of the animals and deterioration in their care is due to personal circumstances.
2. The Rescuer: These people have a large fear of death and feel as though they need to save as many animals they can, and feel that they are the only ones that are able to provide the animals with proper care so they collect these animals actively.
3. The Exploiter: These people acquire their animals actively, and deny any animal abuse at all. They tend to think that animals are tools and need to be controlled. They usually reject authorities and any concern about animals.

There are also 3 different types of interventions for these hoarders: persuasion with verbal agreement, threat of legal action and prosecution for cruelty to animals. The Overwhelmed Caregiver will most likely be reasonable and willing to downsize when confronted with any of these methods. The Rescuer will have a harder time complying, but may give in when confronted with prosecution. The Exploiter will most likely refuse any of their interventions and prosecution will be essential.

Though there are 14 states that have protective statues for animals, many cruelty cases are enforced at the local level and not the state level, so many more cruelty cases can get by leaving many animals to suffer.

Animal hoarding is truly cruel to all animals, and I personally don't believe that their short lives should start or end in this way.

Do you think that enforcement should be through the state? Would that reach more cases of abuse?

Animal Hoarding