There are different reasons behind hoarding animals
People who love animals will most likely become emotional when they hear about an animal hoarding situation.
Most likely, some of the emotion felt is sympathy for the animals but anger at the person who created the problem. However, animal hoarding is a complicated issue, and it comes with many numerous explanations and causes. One point everyone agrees on is that animal hoarding is particularly heartbreaking for the animals caught in these tragic circumstances.
Some people will jump to the assumption of guilty as soon as they hear about the hoarding discovery. Others will immediately start online bashing on different social media platforms. People will demand jail time and that all costs associated with the seizure of the animals be charged back to the hoarder.
There is no single or straightforward solution for animal hoarding. In the majority of cases, the individual does not begin planning to hoard animals. They especially do not start out wanting to hurt or cause stress for the animals. They may take in a few cats, thinking they are protecting them from the harshness of living outside. Sadly, in cases involving cats, they begin to breed, and the situation quickly snowballs. Word may also spread about the homeowner, so people start to drop off unwanted cats hoping they will be taken into the household.
Hoarders usually start with sincere intentions of feeding and caring for the animals. They may also not be aware the animals are not spayed, neutered or pregnant. A few months later, the situation can quickly escalate, and they find themselves overwhelmed or embarrassed to ask for help. Sadly, some hoarders may be depressed or emotionally troubled. In those situations, they may not see that many animals in their care are suffering.
Individuals who seem susceptible to becoming animal hoarders tend to be widowed, single, or elderly. They may be isolated from family, friends, social groups or separated from their community.
Instead of shaming hoarders, please consider offering to help the animals. If the SPCA has taken in the animals, donate funds or pet items to support the animals. The SPCA will thoroughly investigate the hoarding situation, and if charges are warranted, the SPCA will make the right decision based on the case.
You may not be aware of a hoarding situation in your community. A few indications to look for may include windows are dirty; foul smells are seeping from the house, the homeowner cannot confidently say how many animals live in the house, or the animals you can see from the street appear stressed or unclean.
If you think there is someone in your community or neighbourhood struggling with pets, please offer assistance or call your local SPCA. Every hoarder is not an animal abuser. They are people who had good intentions who thought they were helping abandoned animals.
Please be kind to animals.
Tracy Jessiman is a pet portrait artist who lives in Halifax with her husband and their three pets. She has been rescuing animals most of her life, but more intimately, animals rescued her.