Thursday, September 2, 2010

Hoarding animals is familiar human disorder

By JOAN DEMIRJIAN


Those who work with animal welfare are familiar with incidents such as the one in Solon where 39 animals were found Aug. 13 in deplorable conditions in a home while the owners were out of town.

The animals included 25 dogs and eight cats, along with guinea pigs, a rabbit and birds. They were sick and diseased, according to authorities, and most of them were euthanized.

Local animal-welfare workers said such cases are referred to as the hoarding syndrome.

The Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium is a national group of researchers who have studied animal hoarding in an effort to increase awareness about the disorder. Many characteristics of animal hoarding are similar to hoarding of inanimate objects, according to the consortium.

Sarah Westman, manager of Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village animal shelter in Russell, said, "Animal hoarding is a recognized mental illness.".." More

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