In March 2008, the Pennsylvania SPCA uncovered one of the most disturbing cases of animal hoarding in state history: more than 400 cats on self-proclaimed cat "sanctuary" north of Pittsburgh. The property was anything but a safe haven, with cats trying to survive in deplorable conditions and suffering from a laundry list of health problems, including dehydration, malnutrition, skin wounds and bladder infections. According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), scenarios like this aren't as unusual as you might think: There are up to 2,000 new incidents of animal hoarding documented each year.
The Mayo Clinic generally defines hoarding as "the excessive collection of items, along with the inability to discard them," which creates cluttered and unsanitary living conditions. People who hoard animals and those who hoard other things have a lot in common -- including the factors that trigger their conditions and symptoms they show -- but there are also some key differences between their lifestyles. Here's a look at what sets them apart.
Adding Animals to the Mix
As is the case with general hoarding, many experts believe that animal hoarding is linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). "People with OCD tend to have intrusive anxious thoughts and attempt to reduce them with compulsive behaviors such as hoarding," explains Dr. Corey Gonzales, a clinical psychologist who specializes in the field. "What usually prompts this behavior is a need for control and difficulty letting go."
All types of hoarding usually involve a number of similar signs, including an inability to part with items, a disconnection from daily responsibilities, and limited to no social interaction with other people. It seems obvious, but the main thing that differentiates animal hoarders from object hoarders is that other living beings -- namely, animals -- are part of the situation. Researchers aren't entirely sure of what causes a person to hoard animals instead of inanimate things, but what they do know is that many people with this condition convince themselves that they are actually helping the animals by rescuing them. In reality, of course, they're doing the opposite: In addition to neglecting their own welfare, most animal hoarders fail to provide proper nutrition, living conditions and veterinary care for their pets.
Bringing pets into the picture also multiplies the negative effects of hoarding. Whereas all hoarders may have legal and financial problems, as well as medical, social and psychological issues, animal hoarders in particular are at risk of contracting and spreading zoonotic diseases -- illnesses (including bacterial and parasitic infections) that can spread between pets and people. The animals experience many negative consequences of hoarding, too: Long-term neglect and abuse in hoarding situations can make them sick and even lead to their death.
Treating the Whole Situation
It may be difficult to recognize an animal hoarding situation, because there's no set number of pets that, once obtained, automatically makes a person an animal hoarder. According to the Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium (HARC), there will be "more than the typical number" of animals present, but it's possible for someone to have several pets and still avoid the hoarder label, as long as the pets are properly fed and cared for.
Even if you can identify animal hoarders, as with other hoarders, there's no magic cure for the condition. For hoarding in general, experts typically recommend a combination of long-term psychological therapy and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant, as treatment. However, the Mayo Clinic points out that, while these drugs have proved successful with OCD cases, their ability to curb hoarding has yet to be fully determined.
These treatments may help hoarders who choose to get help for themselves, but with animal hoarders, there's the additional problem of rescuing and caring for the animals (who don't have a choice in the matter). In many cases, intervening legally can be effective. According to the ASPCA, all states have animal cruelty laws that stipulate minimal care standards, which generally cover hoarding. Contacting your local zoning board and fire department is another option, since these groups can often step in to help with the enforcement of code violations. And, of course, you can always contact an established animal rescue organization for advice, too. If you know a hoarder personally, you may be hesitant to make these kinds of calls, but taking action is an important step to take in order to try to get that person -- and the animals in his or her care -- the help they need.
More Information and Resources
- The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). "Animal Hoarding." 06/04/2010. http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/animal-hoarding.html#signs
- The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). "Anti-Cruelty Raid: Tarentum, PA" 06/04/2010. http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/aspca-in-action/tarentum-pa.html
- Animal Legal Defense Fund. "Animal Hoarding Facts." 06/04/2010. http://www.aldf.org/article.php?id=250
- The Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium. 06/04/2010. http://www.tufts.edu/vet/hoarding/index.html.
- Humane Society of the United States. "Animal Hoarding." 06/03/2010. http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/abuse_neglect/facts/hoarding.html
- Kuehn, Bridget M. "Animal Hoarding: A public health problem veterinarians can take a lead role in solving." Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association. 10/15/2002. http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/oct02/021015a.asp
- The Mayo Clinic. "Hoarding." 06/04/2010. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hoarding/ds00966.
- Pet Abuse. "Animal Abuse Crime Database." 06/04/2010. http://www.pet-abuse.com/pages/cruelty_database.php
- Sell, Jill. "Hoarders leave behind disturbing mess for families to clean up." The Cleveland Plain Dealer. 05/15/2010. http://www.cleveland.com/living/index.ssf/2010/05/hoarders_leave_behind_disturbi.html
Comments