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What is animal hoarding?
Hoarding is one of the most egregious forms of animal cruelty, affecting tens of thousands of animals – mostly cats and dogs – in communities nationwide. Hoarders keep abnormally large numbers of animals for whom they do not provide even the most basic care. Animal victims of hoarders typically suffer horribly as a result, and, unlike most other forms of companion animal cruelty, their misery can go on for years. The sometimes hundreds of dog or cat victims of a single hoarder generally show signs of abuse such as severe malnutrition, untreated medical conditions including open sores, cancers, and advanced dental and eye diseases, and severe psychological distress.
How serious is the problem?
It is likely that up to a quarter million animals—250,000 per year—are victims of hoarders. What’s more, records kept by ARDL indicate that in the last four years, the number of reported hoarding cases has more than doubled. In terms of the number of animals affected and the degree and duration of their suffering, hoarding is the number one animal cruelty crisis facing companion animals in communities throughout the country.
Who hoards animals and why?
As with other acts of animal cruelty, it may be impossible to know for sure what motivates the abuse inflicted by hoarders. We do know that 72% of hoarders are women and that the most common animal victims of hoarders are cats, followed by dogs. Because recidivism rates for hoarders are almost 100% for repeat offenders, the only long-term solution for stopping their behavior is to prevent them from owning animals.
How does animal hoarding affect the local community?
In addition to the horrific animal cruelty involved, hoarding creates such highly unsanitary conditions that the properties of hoarders, contaminated with fecal matter and urine, are often condemned. What’s more, a single hoarding case involving dozens if not hundreds of animals can easily bankrupt a local humane society and severely strain volunteer resources, and the nuisance and cost to local authorities and law enforcement officials is ongoing.
Why is animal hoarding so difficult to prosecute?
Many states have no legal definition for animal hoarding, courts already assign relatively low priority to animal abuse and neglect cases in general, and many people are unfamiliar with the severity of abuse in hoarding situations. The high cost of caring for animals rescued from hoarders, who often must be cared for at the rescuer’s expense, is also a huge disincentive for prosecuting hoarding cases. These factors contribute to a lengthy and difficult legal process in securing a positive verdict in any case.
Each of us can play an important role in stopping animal hoarding and getting the word out that this is not a victimless crime!
How to spot a hoarder:
• Keeps an abnormally large number of animals;
• Fails to provide minimal nutrition, veterinary care, shelter or sanitation;
• Fails to recognize the devastating impact of this neglect; and
• Can't stop himself/herself from repeating this behavior.
What you can do to help:
• If you suspect someone is an animal hoarder, contact your local humane society,
police department, or animal control department.
• Educate the public about animal hoarding. For example, you can write a letter to
the local newspaper to help alert your fellow citizens about the problem of animal
hoarding and how they can stop it.
• Alert ARDL so we can track the case and offer our professional assistance to
local officials.
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