You’ve probably seen photos of hoarders living with dozens of animals, overwhelmed by filth and their own inaction. Is it animal cruelty or mental illness? Learn more about animal hoarding, a complex social issue that encompasses mental health, animal welfare and public safety concerns.
A Sad Case in New York City
Earlier this year, the American SPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agents arrived at a New York City apartment to find that dozens of cats and kittens had overtaken the small space. The cats were severely malnourished, and many suffered from upper respiratory disease. There were no litter boxes, and the floor was covered in several inches of feces and urine. Living among the filth and debris was an 85-year-old woman suffering from dementia—she had been hoarding animals for years.
Earlier this year, the American SPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agents arrived at a New York City apartment to find that dozens of cats and kittens had overtaken the small space. The cats were severely malnourished, and many suffered from upper respiratory disease. There were no litter boxes, and the floor was covered in several inches of feces and urine. Living among the filth and debris was an 85-year-old woman suffering from dementia—she had been hoarding animals for years.
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