Hoarding is a condition that in the last several years has been gaining more awareness. Individuals can hoard material "stuff" (non-living) as well as hoarding animals. Animal hoarders are individuals who accumulate large numbers of animals. Classically we think of these people hoarding cats but any species of animal can be collected.
Unfortunately when these animals are hoarded in large numbers there is a failure to provide minimal standards of nutrition, sanitation and veterinary care. These conditions raise concerns not only with the health of the animals but as well as the health of any individuals living in the same environment.
Animal waste in hoarding environments is often found covering many surfaces including floors, walls, beds and counter tops. This is a concern because of the risk of spread of disease and from the presence of ammonia which can be irritating to the airways. Some of the diseases that can be spread to humans from the animals in a hoarding situation include salmonellosis, cat stratch fever, toxoplasmosis, hookworm and ringworm.
Animal hoarding is a poorly understood mental illness. Animal hoarders often have a sense of values and a belief system that may be extremely difficult to understand and accept. Solving an animal hoarding situation is not as simple as removing the animals from the environment. This condition often requires the involvement of several individuals and agencies working together and most of all the animal hoarder themselves.
If you have questions or concerns about animal hoarders please speak with a public health aid or your veterinarian.
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