It's getting easier to spot animal hoarders

BY BEV GRECO

The news is full of stories about animal hoarders these days. It seems to be more and more prevalent -- but it's not really. The media and the public are just paying more attention now. As our area becomes more developed and crowded, properties that harbor large numbers of animals are simply more visible -- or maybe I should say more "smellable."

Most people who hoard animals have a very small social circle; very few family members or friends visit their home. Their houses may be hidden in rural locations or smack in the middle of a busy neighborhood. They may be large farm houses or tiny salt boxes, and there may be absolutely no sign of problems for the casual passerby to pick up on.

Hoarders are generally people who love animals, but their ability to recognize when "enough is enough" becomes impaired -- sometimes severely. It is those severe cases that take a huge toll on the animals; living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, disease spreads fast. The animals can become infested with parasites, both internal and external. Something as simple as fleas can cause serious problems, such as tapeworms, skin infections, allergies and anemia..." More