Morning Read: Pet hoarders raided in North Country
Two regional newspapers are reporting this week on efforts to resolve what appear to be pet hoarding cases, one in Plattsburgh “affecting more than three dozen cats” and the other in the Washington County town of Cambridge, where 57 animals were seized.
This from the Plattsburgh Press-Republican.
“When we pulled into the driveway, we could smell the house,” Plattsburgh City Police Lt. Scott Beebie said Wednesday.
Once inside the west-end home, officers discovered a major case of animal hoarding and launched what has become a multi-agency effort to rescue and care for the felines.
“It was essentially a feral-cat colony in the confines of a house,” Dr. Erik Eaglefeather said from Eagles Nest Veterinary Hospital, where the rescued cats are in his care.
And this from the Glens Falls Post Star.
Animals were found in cages littered with feces and with no indication they had been routinely fed or provided with water, according to Cambridge-Greenwich Police Chief George Bell.
Some cages blocked other cages, and the tank water for turtles was black and brown, Bell said.
Pets ranged from exotic birds to cats, dogs, chinchillas and turtles. Most were found in the single-family home. Several dogs were caged in a garage.
This is challenging stuff for law enforcement, who often lack the people-power and the expertise to deal with big animal crises like this.
It’s also tough for animal lovers and the shelters they support. It can be overwhelming when sudden influxes of sick and feral critters come in.
Weird people. They should be moved to Sunmount.
Thank you so much for bring this issue to our attention.
I’m a researcher for the series Confessions: Animal Hoarding, currently airing on Animal Planet that tells the stories of people overwhelmed by the number of pets they own. The problem is on the rise and affect communities across America.
If you are concerned about the health of animals in someone’s care and suspect they may be hoarding them, we might be able to help.
Most animal hoarders don’t see themselves as hoarders, and sometimes don’t intentionally collect animals. Their relationship with their animals has threatened their relationships with friends and family.
Most of these situations aren’t dealt with until they become criminal. This results in animals being euthanized by over-stressed shelters, and doesn’t address the underlying psychological issues – meaning nearly 100% of people end up in the same situation again.
We are dedicated to finding comprehensive long-term solutions and believe therapy to be key to this. We can bring in experts to help people and their pets.
If you or someone you know needs help because animals have overrun their life, visit http://www.animalhoardingproject.com to learn more and submit their story. Alternatively, contact me directly at [email protected] or toll-free at
1 -877-698-7387.
We will treat all submissions with confidentiality and respect.
revolting
“meaning nearly 100% of people end up in the same situation again.”
People who do this criminally are still allowed to own pets? Seems like that right there is part of the problem.