YEAR OF THE HOARDER

Tamara Lush

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For years, no one on Crest Drive paid much attention to the little white house with pink trim.

The front yard was overgrown with shrubs and three cars sat motionless in the driveway.

Neighbors on the quiet street knew the owner, a retired psychologist named Carina DeOcampo, was an odd, private person – even her family would leave bags of food on the front steps, then quickly drive away.

But folks here were shocked in early October when police forced their way into the home and discovered the 72-year-old DeOcampo dead, surrounded by six feet of garbage that packed the house.

DeOcampo was a hoarder.

“She had trails throughout the house, from her chair to the kitchen to her bedroom,” said neighbor David Collins, who peered in the front door after DeOcampo’s body was removed. “It was unbelievable.”,,," More

Nearly 100 animals seized from Hesperia home

'This is one of the largest [animal hoarding] instances we've had in the city,' Kelly Malloy, spokeswoman for the city of Hesperia

BY BEATRIZ E. VALENZUELA

Nearly 100 animals were removed from a Hesperia home after the pets' owner was found dead, city officials said on Wednesday.

"This is one of the largest [animal hoarding] instances we've had in the city," said Kelly Malloy, spokeswoman for the city of Hesperia.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's officials arrived at the home in the 9000 block of Evergreen Street on Monday to check on the female inside who had been sick, authorities said. When they entered they found the woman dead and numerous animals — mostly cats — living inside the home.

It took officials nearly three days to remove a total of 83 cats, several geese and two dogs from the property, Malloy said. The dogs were turned over to family members and the remaining animals were taken by Animal Control Officers.

"The house had obvious signs of large numbers of animals living in the house," said Malloy.

Witnesses reported there were animal feces and congealed cat urine throughout the home, which measures between 1,500 to 1,800 square-feet.

"They were running free throughout the house," she said, adding the exterior appearance of the home would not have tipped anyone off that many animals were being kept inside.

Some warning signs someone may be a hoarder include:

• The inability to refuse a "needy" animal, despite having too many at home.

• A refusal to stop rescuing despite a lack of money or space.

• The unwillingness to adopt the "rescued" animal to a good home, and finding excuses to reject those who do want to adopt.

• An inability to care for the animals, physically and emotionally.

• Having mistaken beliefs about the hoarded animals' needs and about shelters or other alternatives.

• Avoiding behavior that would expose the hoarder, such as inviting guests to the home.

• Traditionally the exterior of the home is well-kept but the windows will be blocked out. The windows may also show a brown film along the bottom.

• Empty cat or dog food containers.

• Unsanitary conditions for the animals and the hoarder (frequently hoarders have extremely dirty homes that include the presence of animal waste).

If residents suspect their family member is hoarding animals, Malloy encourages them to call their local Animal Control office..."  Link

Photo by Peter Day