Animal Hoarding

[BlueKota]

Is anyone else seeing an increase of animal hoarding in their area. Our county's humane society which isn't very large, and doesn't have a big budget has had 4 hoarding cases in three months. They have had to take in so many dogs and even some cats who have been neglected and are suffering from fleas, malnourished, and have fur loss.

Turns out the most recent person arrested for it was a lady I went to high-school with. They found 17 dogs, and several cats in her home. They also found 4 dead cats in the house. It was so bad our town had to condemn the house.

What the hell is going on in this world? I have loved cats and dogs all my life, they've comforted me through a lot of crap other humans put me through. It breaks my heart to think of the suffering these animals who were hoarded went through. At least I know one has gone to a good home. A guy who I have always looked at as my younger brother from another mother adopted one of the dogs from one of the earlier cases. He is 3 years old and a mix of Chihuahua and Terrier. He's adorable, and my friend said it was love at first site.

[haele]

1. Loneliness and the need for unconditional love

It usually starts from a good intention. One rescue here or there, or several neighbors knowing you would be willing to look after their pets when they have to move to a place that doesn't take pets.

They're just poor babies that depend on you and will love you...you can't say no....

Add in the inability to get the animal to a vet that will spay and neuter the animal within your budget, and you can soon find yourself overwhelmed, as they multiply.
Having an emotional or mental issue like depression or ADHD doesn't help when trying to maintain one or two pets, and if the number multiplies - they can't deal.

[Boomerproud]

3. My best friend from high school is a hoarder of cats.

Her house is a sty and she doesn't take care of herself or the cats. Nothing seems to faze her.

[MustLoveBeagles]

12. She probably meant well in the beginning

Now she doesn't realize she's doing more harm than good.

[BlueKota]

2. She would always post about dogs in shelters

waiting for adoption. So I think you're right she started out well intentioned. Apparently she was fostering two of the dogs from an out of state rescue. When that organization showed up at her house to retrieve the dogs because they had potential permanent adopters, they discovered what was happening. They took back the two that were from their rescue and then immediately contacted local authorities.

My sister said she is surprised the neighbors didn't notice something off and report it earlier. She lived in a housing complex so it seems like they'd have seen something. Also I was surprised the Rescue didn't check her out more before placing dogs with her.

I know a German Shepherd Rescue that I donated to, use to do required home checks before placing a dog for fostering or adoption. Unfortunately they are no longer operating, because the wonderful lady at the heart of it, died of cancer. 😢

[maxsolomon]

4. I am not seeing an increase.

Also, I am not looking for animal hoarders.

[BlueKota]

8. The Humane Society here are posting about

the cases on social media and asking for the public donations of dog and cat food, as well as towels, cleaning supplies, blankets etc. Their director says he has never seen so many cases at once.

[milestogo]

5. Having a pet is a luxury.

If you're going to feed them right and get the proper veterinary care you're going to spend some money. If someone is hoarding, the animals are usually not getting the proper care. It is no favor to have a dog or cat you can't afford to treat when it is sick.

[MustLoveBeagles]

7. Your right

It's not fair to the animal. When I was a kid my stepdad would bring home strays. We could barely afford to care for ourselves let alone pets 😔

[BlueKota]

9. I agree.

[MustLoveBeagles]

6. It's sad

[BlueKota]

11. Definitely.

I hope the lady is referred for mental health treatment in addition to the criminal charges against her. Our county actually partially funds a mental health clinic, which offers a sliding fee scale based on a patient's income and access to insurance.

The county also holds free rabies clinics for dogs and cats, once a year. You have to pre-register but it's open to all county residents regardless of income. When I was young, we used to take the barn cats we could catch to get them. I also fed them dry cat food and brought them water every day. They also were free to hunt which my parents, the farmer who rented our fields, and barns, and even the neighbor's appreciated, because we rarely had mice.

With a few rare exceptions I was never usually allowed to even bring them in the house, let alone let them live in it. The only one that my Mom let be an indoor cat was one that had been born with a neurological disease,and our vet said it likely wouldn't survive being an outdoor cat.