Many of us have come across heart-wrenching articles about animal mistreatment since the pandemic struck England. And tragic too, since many involved well-meaning owners who somehow went off the rails. Today we discuss the phenomenon of crossing the line to animal hoarding. Perhaps you should skip over this article if you are sensitive about such things.
A Working Definition of Animal Hoarding
Animal hoarding is housing more animals than we can adequately cope with according to Psychology Today. It is a complex issue than embraces mental health, animal welfare, and public safety concerns.
We should not judge people too harshly when we discuss offences involving animal legislation. The person crossing the line to animal hoarding may simply have become unable to provide minimal standards of feeding, sanitation, shelter, and veterinary care. And as a tragic consequence, the animals breed uncontrollably, fall ill, and even die.
Line Crossing to Animal Hoarding
As we mentioned earlier, this is not a deliberate, intentional offence. A person who finds themselves in this situation may have previously experienced severe trauma, or have a mental disorder affecting their ability to form human attachments.
Animal Hoarding Takes a While to Develop
Animal hoarding often unfolds behind closed doors, and as a result can develop undetected. It therefore can take a while for neighbours to notice anything unusual happening. Some animal hoarders may find their growing collection embarrassing. While others may regard their booming menagerie as normal.
However, there are clues for people in the know to spot. For example, numerous cats often shred the bottoms of blinds and curtains on the windows. Their waste may be visible along the edges of window sills. Accumulations of animal carriers and boxes of various types are also a dead giveaway, and can confirm someone has crossed the line to animal hoarding.
A Profile of a Typical Animal Hoarder
An animal hoarder is most likely to be over 50 years of age, and of the female gender. Research suggests these women may benefit from stress-reducing tending, and befriending behavior. Men are less likely to hoard animals and they seldom report similar benefits. This pattern may be explained by differences in social affiliation.
When Does Animal Hoarding Become a Problem?
Psychology Today suggests three points at which intervention may become necessary. They are, in no particular order as follows:
THE CAREGIVER BECOMES OVERWHELMED
Pet owners generally begin with the best intentions. However, circumstances can overtake them. For example, they could fall on hard times where they face new physical, financial, or emotional challenges.
The situation can easily spiral out of control when the animals begin breeding spontaneously. The caregiver loses control of the situation, and becomes overwhelmed. They may become so embarrassed by the situation that they deny other people access to their property.
THE CAREGIVER BECOMES A RESCUER
Crossing the line to animal hoarding is a more deliberate act in this instance. A person develops an overwhelming mission to rescue unclaimed pets and animals. Their urge can become so powerful that they aggressively acquire more animals than they could possibly cope with.
This group of animal hoarders is difficult to discourage, because they present themselves publicly as a legitimate service. Other members of the public support them through a network of like-minded people.
THE MERCENARY, UNCARING EXPLOITER
This category of animal hoarder accumulates large numbers of animals for their personal benefit. They may have had some practical value in the beginning. But as the animals age, they become unwanted and of no more value to them.
Dogs originally used for breeding, and mules once employed as pack animals are two examples that quite commonly end up in court. The animals are ‘put out to grass’ with little or no care for their well-being. When rescued, they may suffer from disease, starvation, and neglect.
Could We Eliminate Animal Hoarding in England?
Many people who cross the line are simply unable to understand, or grasp what the real situation is. They cling to the false belief that they are helping the animals. They forcefully reject any allegations that they are causing any harm.
In fact, their obsession is so embedded, that they often re-begin the process, if their collections are taken away from them. At this stage it’s important to remember that theirs is an obsession seldom of their own choosing.
And therefore we close with the observation that those that cross the line to animal hoarding seldom, if ever, set out to be deliberately cruel. It is more a matter of circumstances overwhelming them, and their taking their eye off the ball.
Perhaps if we kept a watchful eye over our friends who love animals deeply, it might help avoid this. Just in case they tend that way too.
