Animal Hoarding, Facts & Help Hotline

by Mary Haight on June 11, 2011

Hoarders

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Did you know there are around 3,500 new animal hoarding cases every year? Each of those cases affect not only some 250,000 abused, neglected animals and the people collecting them, but also touches families, friends, neighborhoods, and the communities where they occur.
 
At the start of the week, I wrote a post, No-Kill Is No Kill? , answering some questions on that subject, one of which asked whether no-kill was a cause of animal hoarding.  Sara, a researcher for the series Confessions: Animal Hoarding, generously shared useful information and resources in her comment (added below). 
 
Animal hoarding has nearly 100% recidivism without psychological treatment, as Sara mentions, and the Animal Hoarding Project are able to provide treatment for those whose stories they film.  Animal hoarding seems to be rooted in traumatic, abusive, or painful relationships with people, often as children, and as a consequence, hoarders close themselves off from others. Sara offered that tools are available for family and friends to give help to someone who needs it.  Call the number listed:
 
…The [animal hoarding] problem is on the rise and affects communities across America.  If you are concerned about the health of animals in someone’s care and suspect they may be hoarding them, we might be able to help.

Most animal hoarders don’t see themselves as hoarders, and sometimes don’t intentionally collect animals. Their relationship with their animals has threatened their relationships with friends and family.

Most of these situations aren’t dealt with until they become criminal. This results in animals being euthanized by over-stressed shelters, and doesn’t address the underlying psychological issues – meaning nearly 100% of people end up in the same situation again.

We are dedicated to finding comprehensive long-term solutions and believe therapy to be key to this. We can bring in experts to help people and their pets.

If you or someone you know needs help because animals have overrun their life, visit animalhoardingproject to learn more and submit their story. Alternatively, contact me directly at help@animalhoardingproject.com or toll-free at 1 -877-698-7387.

We will treat all submissions with confidentiality and respect.

Animal hoarding is a serious mental illness. This might be the help your friend, family member, or neighbor needs.

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Tagged as: Animal hoarding, Animal Planet, Animal welfare

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