Animal hoarding is a complex and intricate public health and community issue. Its effects are far-reaching and encompass mental health, animal welfare and public safety concerns.
The following criteria are used to define animal hoarding:
- More than the typical number of companion animals
- Inability to provide even minimal standards of nutrition, sanitation, shelter and veterinary care, with this neglect often resulting in starvation, illness and death
- Denial of the inability to provide this minimum care and the impact of that failure on the animals, the household and human occupants of the dwelling (ASPCA)
Many of you have seen animals that have come from hoarding situations and have even watched television shows based upon this rising epidemic. The majority of viewers are disgusted by the conditions and sickened by the hoarders. While most cases are entirely unacceptable, I can't help but feel sorry for some of these people and their plight. Having witnessed a hoarding rescue first hand, my attitude towards this animal welfare issue has changed.
It is easy to label someone mentally ill, especially if what they do goes against all of your sensibility. I do think it is important to treat each hoarding case differently and to really evaluate the individual. Don't lump them all together. Just because someone may have a hard time relating to others or communicating their feelings does not make them mentally ill. Living through a trauma or a tragedy and having a hard time dealing with it does not make you mentally ill either. Sometimes people just need help. Don't set out to make every animal hoarder a villain.
I met Judy when I went with the Atlanta Humane Society to film a hoarding rescue with Animal Planet. While Judy had WAY too many animals that were in need of medical attention, I could tell that she loved them all. She knew each pet by name and could tell you all of their back stories. I believe the loyalty and companionship that she felt, completely blinded her to the fact that she was actually hurting these animals instead of helping them.
I learned that Judy had been through some very traumatic situations and tragedies throughout her life that most of us would not be able to overcome. Between her trust issues and lack of self worth, Judy retreated to the middle of nowhere in rural Alabama to start a new life. She sought comfort in her Chihuahua. The bond and unconditional love that she felt was refreshing to her. Needless to say, when Judy's beloved Chihuahua passed away, it was devastating. She then decided that she would own multiple pets so that the loss of one would not feel so lonely. Judy also started rescuing animals from puppy mills and abusive situations. Pretty soon, her home became the dumping ground for locals and their unwanted pets. Even when she put up signs warning people not to dump unwanted litters, the helpless animals kept coming. With no humane society or animal control nearby, Judy became severely overwhelmed. Nonetheless, she took them all in and loved them to the best of her ability. And despite Judy's health problems, she used almost all of her disability checks on dog food.
After support from her family, a psychologist, and the Atlanta Humane Society, Judy finally decided to do what was best for her animals. She surrendered her babies to get necessary medical care and to be adopted out to homes that could properly take care of them. It was heart wrenching to watch her hand over each pet with heavy sobs.
I would never say that Judy is mentally ill. I would say that she is a woman with a loving heart who has had a lifetime of heartache and just needed some perspective and help.
Animal Hoarding hurts humans and animals alike. But please know that hoarders are not the issue. They are just a symptom of the overall problem. That problem is pet overpopulation. Period.
I met Judy when I went with the Atlanta Humane Society to film a hoarding rescue with Animal Planet. While Judy had WAY too many animals that were in need of medical attention, I could tell that she loved them all. She knew each pet by name and could tell you all of their back stories. I believe the loyalty and companionship that she felt, completely blinded her to the fact that she was actually hurting these animals instead of helping them.
I learned that Judy had been through some very traumatic situations and tragedies throughout her life that most of us would not be able to overcome. Between her trust issues and lack of self worth, Judy retreated to the middle of nowhere in rural Alabama to start a new life. She sought comfort in her Chihuahua. The bond and unconditional love that she felt was refreshing to her. Needless to say, when Judy's beloved Chihuahua passed away, it was devastating. She then decided that she would own multiple pets so that the loss of one would not feel so lonely. Judy also started rescuing animals from puppy mills and abusive situations. Pretty soon, her home became the dumping ground for locals and their unwanted pets. Even when she put up signs warning people not to dump unwanted litters, the helpless animals kept coming. With no humane society or animal control nearby, Judy became severely overwhelmed. Nonetheless, she took them all in and loved them to the best of her ability. And despite Judy's health problems, she used almost all of her disability checks on dog food.
After support from her family, a psychologist, and the Atlanta Humane Society, Judy finally decided to do what was best for her animals. She surrendered her babies to get necessary medical care and to be adopted out to homes that could properly take care of them. It was heart wrenching to watch her hand over each pet with heavy sobs.
I would never say that Judy is mentally ill. I would say that she is a woman with a loving heart who has had a lifetime of heartache and just needed some perspective and help.
Animal Hoarding hurts humans and animals alike. But please know that hoarders are not the issue. They are just a symptom of the overall problem. That problem is pet overpopulation. Period.
This is so true. It would be interesting to see how animal hoarding would be affected if overpopulation could be reduced.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you point out that hoarders are individuals and not necessarily mentally ill.
It is unfair to label them all as mentally ill. It is the same as people that hoard items and trash in their homes. It's a really odd coping mechanism, but they all have one thing in common...tremendous trauma and loss. It's like addiction. The drinking and drugs are not the problem. They are symptoms of someone's personal struggles.
ReplyDelete