Animal Hoarding - why?

JupiterKid · 06-05-2019 10:38PM #1

I love both dogs and cats.

They each have their own appeal and qualities but would you love them so much that you would want to completely surround yourself with them, to the point where your place would be overrun with animals? Would that be fair on them?

300 cats were rescued from a small apartment in Toronto in Canada. What drives a person to "hoard" so many animals?

Article below:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6997409/amp/300-cats-inside-one-apartment-Toronto.html?__twitter_impression=true

amcalester · 06-05-2019 10:39PM

Mental illness.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 06-05-2019 10:41PM

Anybody I know with three or more cats seems to have issues in life.

McMurphy · 06-05-2019 10:48PM

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 06-05-2019 10:53PM

ILoveYourVibes · 06-05-2019 10:57PM

JupiterKid wrote: »

I love both dogs and cats.

They each have their own appeal and qualities but would you love them so much that you would want to completely surround yourself with them, to the point where your place would be overrun with animals? Would that be fair on them?

300 cats were rescued from a small apartment in Toronto in Canada. What drives a person to "hoard" so many animals?

Article below:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6997409/amp/300-cats-inside-one-apartment-Toronto.html?__twitter_impression=true

They usually think they are 'SAVING' them. They usually have attachment issues. They are suspicious of vets or other humans but not only about animals. They think other humans are 'OUT TO GET THEM'. Depression and loneliness etc are a part of it. They do tend to feel superior to other people too.

Animal hoarders often appear intelligent and clearly believe they are helping their animals. In addition, many hoarders possess the ability to garner sympathy and to deceive others into thinking their situation is under control.

But everything that is considered standard animal care is neglected this is justified by the person negating the advice of experts.

No one cares etc no one wants to save this cat or dog or horse or rat etc.

But they don't trust animal shelters to take them in.

Its mostly older people.

I have to say i know SOME people are genuinely very ill. But there is a line between illness and just stupidity.

everlast75 · 06-05-2019 10:57PM

What stops governments getting their finger out and enforcing animal welfare?

F**king sick if reading stories of animal abuse.

Sardonicat · 06-05-2019 10:58PM

Jovanni Rotten Checkbook wrote: »

Anybody I know with three or more cats seems to have issues in life.

Cough cough

Sorry about that. Furball.

ILoveYourVibes · 06-05-2019 10:59PM

Johnny Dogs wrote: »

Me want.

I think the diff between animal lovers and hoarders is an animal lover knows 'I am taking all the kittens for my own selfish purposes!' and then takes two kittens MAX.

If you DO love being around lots of animals you can volunteer at shelters. You get like 20 dogs a week that way! Only none of the financial burden!You just get to play with them

ILoveYourVibes · 06-05-2019 11:02PM

everlast75 wrote: »

What stops governments getting their finger out and enforcing animal welfare?

F**king sick if reading stories of animal abuse.

Its a hidden crime. So its hard. And plus you have to find a way of caring for them all then.

You can find a farm of 200 dogs or more. Or 80 horses and have ZERO idea of who owns it or who has been there. And more than likely you will never find out.

If they have been keeping them in their own home it's likely they are not well. And so people will be sympathetic. Which i understand.

eviltwin · 06-05-2019 11:04PM

Jovanni Rotten Checkbook wrote: »

Anybody I know with three or more cats seems to have issues in life.

I have two, I better watch out!

everlast75 · 06-05-2019 11:07PM

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

Its a hidden crime. So its hard. And plus you have to find a way of caring for them all then.

You can find a farm of 200 dogs or more. Or 80 horses and have ZERO idea of who owns it or who has been there. And more than likely you will never find out.

If they have been keeping them in their own home it's likely they are not well. And so people will be sympathetic. Which i understand.

Deterents might work.

Puppy farms, cash sellers. All can be clamped down on and fined/banned.

To be fair f**k all is done about it. Enforcement for a change

monkeysnapper · 06-05-2019 11:12PM

CRAP......

A few years ago I bought a westie only for few months later getting another, then I went out and bought a goldfish only for us to get 3 more a week later , then another 2 a few weeks after that ...

Plus we have 3 kids.... oh God...were turning into one of these dam freaks arnt we????

looksee · 06-05-2019 11:14PM

Jovanni Rotten Checkbook wrote: »

Anybody I know with three or more cats seems to have issues in life.

Ahem...

ILoveYourVibes · 06-05-2019 11:14PM

monkeysnapper wrote: »

CRAP......

A few years ago I bought a westie only for few months later getting another, then I went out and bought a goldfish only for us to get 3 more a week later , then another 2 a few weeks after that ...

Plus we have 3 kids.... oh God...were turning into one of these dam freaks arnt we????

I think you need to maybe find a nice home for one of those kids Monkey! :P

Do the right thing!

BuboBubo · 06-05-2019 11:16PM

Jovanni Rotten Checkbook wrote: »

Anybody I know with three or more cats seems to have issues in life.

I have 4, all spayed/neutered and all are from the local SPCA.

My only issue with life is lack of space on the sofa.

monkeysnapper · 06-05-2019 11:17PM

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

I think you need to maybe find a nice home for one of those kids Monkey! :P

Do the right thing!

I was thinking the same , I was thinking about selling the middle one , hes always quiet... I'm sure hes plotting something ....maybe to get rid of the fish ....dam I love them fish ....especially the gold one....

ILoveYourVibes · 06-05-2019 11:22PM

monkeysnapper wrote: »

I was thinking the same , I was thinking about selling the middle one , hes always quiet... I'm sure hes plotting something ....maybe to get rid of the fish ....dam I love them fish ....especially the gold one....

You can get a good price if he can do a few chores. Then pack his stuff up in a sack and off he goes!

John_Rambo · 06-05-2019 11:32PM

There was a popular poster on boards.ie that posted the most articulate and sensible posts about dogs, particularly bull breeds. She seemed to have an innate understanding about the nature of dogs and garnered respect from all the posters on the animals and pet forum. Some posters donated to the sanctuary.

Shockingly, (but deservedly) she was fined a small amount for animal cruelty for having severely neglected dogs and was further made to pay moneys for the witness expenses (vets). I think there was a dogs corpse found in her rescue centre with dilapidated kennels and filthy conditions. She'd received over 25K in grants too although her website claimed she relied on public donations only.

From what I can remember (as pointed out by posters on this thread) there were mental health issues and things "got on top of her".... yet she applied to get the dogs back, but this was staunchly opposed by the local SPA. I for one was shocked. She seemed to be a real trooper and an advocate for animal welfare. I don't think she was living a life of luxury from the grants, they were about 4k a year.

Mad story. I had by default a bull terrier for a few months that was used as a bate dog for scumbags that fought dogs and learned lots from her. I couldn't believe it when I heard the news.

Edit...(my bull terrier was rehomed in a loving environment after a decent social media campaign when social media was in it's infancy)

ILoveYourVibes · 06-05-2019 11:42PM

John_Rambo wrote: »

There was a popular poster on boards.ie that posted the most articulate and sensible posts about dogs, particularly bull breeds. She seemed to have an innate understanding about the nature of dogs and garnered respect from all the posters on the animals and pet forum. Some posters donated to the sanctuary.

Shockingly, (but deservedly) she was fined a small amount for animal cruelty for having severely neglected dogs and was further made to pay moneys for the witness expenses (vets). I think there was a dogs corpse found in her rescue centre with dilapidated kennels and filthy conditions. She'd received over 25K in grants too although her website claimed she relied on public donations only.

From what I can remember (as pointed out by posters on this thread) there were mental health issues and things "got on top of her".... yet she applied to get the dogs back, but this was staunchly opposed by the local SPA. I for one was shocked. She seemed to be a real trooper and an advocate for animal welfare. I don't think she was living a life of luxury from the grants, they were about 4k a year.

Mad story. I had by default a bull terrier for a few months that was used as a bate dog for scumbags that fought dogs and learned lots from her. I couldn't believe it when I heard the news.

Edit...(my bull terrier was rehomed in a loving environment after a decent social media campaign when social media was in it's infancy)

You can't be a one woman animal shelter. There is no replacement for one. They have multiple full time staff (animal welfare officers and other staff) a full time vet and specialized vets or services for certain animals. On top of that they have a team of volunteers some general volunteers and some with specialized skills.

You have to have a license for all this qualifications etc.

If you have 40 dogs its unlikely you have a license for all of them because you have to be inspected at that stage.

DrPhilG · 06-05-2019 11:52PM

At what point is it hoarding? We have one dog and 6 cats. Was 2 dogs and 7 cats but the Rottie died about a year ago from old age, and one cat went missing a few months back.

All rehomed strays or unwanted pets, all neutered, all well looked after. Range in age from 3 to 17 years.

For the cases you hear with hundreds of cats or dogs living in squalor in someone's house, yes undoubtedly mental health problems are a likely cause as anyone of fully sound mind would understand that it's not at all healthy for the animals.

John_Rambo · 07-05-2019 12:15AM

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

You can't be a one woman animal shelter. There is no replacement for one. They have multiple full time staff (animal welfare officers and other staff) a full time vet and specialized vets or services for certain animals. On top of that they have a team of volunteers some general volunteers and some with specialized skills.

You have to have a license for all this qualifications etc.

If you have 40 dogs its unlikely you have a license for all of them because you have to be inspected at that stage.

I didn't know anything about her except for her online presence. She was pretty knowledgeable and had excellent advice.
You're obviously well versed regarding licensing and the skills that are needed regarding shelters and sanctuaries.
I'm not!
This case seemed to be a one person operation and it ended with disastrous suffering and death for the dogs. I was just shocked at the revelation that someone with a strong and a very very no nonsense attitude to animal ownership and responsibility ended up in court for animal cruelty. She, in the end was a classic know-all that berated anyone that owned dogs for the slightest mistake whom was infact doing wrong.

Pretzill · 07-05-2019 12:25AM

I have two dogs - I'm not a cat lover but I wouldn't detest them - dogs are great companions. The most I've had at one time is three and three was enough

however I often thought if I came into a lot of money (and time) I'd keep barrel loads but truth is if I win the lotto the local SPCA/dogs trust will do well out of me. There's a lot of joy but also responsibility attached to pets - hoarding isn't a good thing, it's chaotic, unrestricted and claustrophobic for all!

Fann Linn · 07-05-2019 12:33AM

Imagine the smell.

ILoveYourVibes · 07-05-2019 12:39AM

John_Rambo wrote: »

I didn't know anything about her except for her online presence. She was pretty knowledgeable and had excellent advice.
You're obviously well versed regarding licensing and the skills that are needed regarding shelters and sanctuaries.
I'm not!
This case seemed to be a one person operation and it ended with disastrous suffering and death for the dogs. I was just shocked at the revelation that someone with a strong and a very very no nonsense attitude to animal ownership and responsibility ended up in court for animal cruelty. She, in the end was a classic know-all that berated anyone that owned dogs for the slightest mistake whom was infact doing wrong.

I wouldn't consider myself an expert by any stretch of the imagination. I know enough to know I know very little etc. I just ask other people i know and trust. In real life though. I wouldn't really ask something like that online.

I prolly know less than you think.

In my experience though people who are 'difficult' with other dog owners and expect others to worship them for their supposed knowledge etc are doing it for ego.

kowloon · 07-05-2019 03:45AM

Jovanni Rotten Checkbook wrote: »

Anybody I know with three or more cats seems to have issues in life.

I have three cats, I didn't ask for them. People asked me to take two of them and the third just showed up. I rehomed a fourth because three is my limit.

07-05-2019 06:58AM

We have at least five cats at home. They're all feral and we don't even have names for them, but they live in some sheds beyond the road and we feed them bread and milk when we remember to, otherwise they seem self sufficient.

I'm pretty sure they're all inbred too. Like, where else are the new ones coming from? They must all be shagging one another. Dirty little bastids.

Are we bad people for not culling them or neutering them or whatever? Are we *gulp* cat hoarders?

Foweva Awone · 07-05-2019 08:01AM

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

We have at least five cats at home. They're all feral and we don't even have names for them, but they live in some sheds beyond the road and we feed them bread and milk when we remember to, otherwise they seem self sufficient.

I'm pretty sure they're all inbred too. Like, where else are the new ones coming from? They must all be shagging one another. Dirty little bastids.

Are we bad people for not culling them or neutering them or whatever? Are we *gulp* cat hoarders?

Animal rescues would say that, as the person feeding them, it would be good if you could also organise to get them neutered/spayed as well to end the cycle ... you could see if any local cat rescues operate a TNR program, where they will come out and trap the cats, bring them to the vet, then return them to you.

As far as I know you're not meant to give them milk as many cats are actually lactose intolerant! Would be better to give them clean water. I'm sure they'd appreciate any leftover meat too!

Fair play to ye for looking out for them.

Hector Savage · 07-05-2019 08:11AM

amcalester wrote: »

Mental illness.

Indeed.
Single women that have multiple cats = ****ing lunatics.

Hector Savage · 07-05-2019 08:13AM

I remember I worked in this industrial area, and there was lots of stray cats about, the stench of piss was f*cking rotten.
Anyway some oul f*cking mentally ill lunatic woman in her mid fifties would go along every day with bags of food and set up bowls of food and water for them.

Total utter fruitcake, making the problem worse.
At one point I was considering poisoning the food.

Sardonicat · 07-05-2019 08:16AM

What is the difference between having 3 cats and 3 dogs that makes having 3 cats a mental illness? What about a man that has 3 cats? Is he a f**king lunatic, or is it only women?

Animal Hoarding - why?

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