ponto
February 9th, 2008, 10:55 AM
Studies show that over 80% of animal hoarders also hoard inanimate objects.
This may be the most problematic feature of hoarding and the one responsible for the excessive clutter and chaos in the homes of people with this problem.
There is also a tendency to maintain living spaces more like animal pens than human homes.
In some cases, the home environment is so seriously impaired that the house must be torn down or require expensive decontamination.
The Mason County Sheriff's Office recently encountered such a residence during a visit to a local dwelling. The visible clutter, dog and cat feces and urine along with the overwhelming odor forced the deputy and others to leave the premise prior to completing their assignment.
Did you know:
A common characteristic of people who hoard animals is a persistent and powerful belief that they are providing proper care for their animals, despite clear evidence to the contrary.
Hoarders will express the need to maintain control over possessions. This results in increasing isolation and suspiciousness of others.
People who hoard animals often believe they have a special gift for communicating or empathizing with animals, and that this is their life's mission..
According to a director of the American Humane Association, animal hoarders are well-known to animal care professionals. "Collectors exist in almost every community, large or small, rural or urban. They are in a state of denial that prevents them from seeing the filth or understanding their animals are sick, dying or dead. They need help," she said.
This may be the most problematic feature of hoarding and the one responsible for the excessive clutter and chaos in the homes of people with this problem.
There is also a tendency to maintain living spaces more like animal pens than human homes.
In some cases, the home environment is so seriously impaired that the house must be torn down or require expensive decontamination.
The Mason County Sheriff's Office recently encountered such a residence during a visit to a local dwelling. The visible clutter, dog and cat feces and urine along with the overwhelming odor forced the deputy and others to leave the premise prior to completing their assignment.
Did you know:
A common characteristic of people who hoard animals is a persistent and powerful belief that they are providing proper care for their animals, despite clear evidence to the contrary.
Hoarders will express the need to maintain control over possessions. This results in increasing isolation and suspiciousness of others.
People who hoard animals often believe they have a special gift for communicating or empathizing with animals, and that this is their life's mission..
According to a director of the American Humane Association, animal hoarders are well-known to animal care professionals. "Collectors exist in almost every community, large or small, rural or urban. They are in a state of denial that prevents them from seeing the filth or understanding their animals are sick, dying or dead. They need help," she said.