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The Humane Society
estimates that nearly 250,000 animals
are hoarded annually.
Animal Hoarding
Take a moment to consider your community’s pet
policy. Does it specifically address animal hoarding? Would
you know how to identify and respond to residents who
were hoarding animals?
Animal hoarding is a specific type of hoarding that
occurs when a person collects animals instead of things.
The person may identify with or feel a kinship with the
animals. While their motive may be to take care of the
animals, hoarding can lead to the unintentional abuse,
neglect, and even death of the animals. The Humane
Society estimates that nearly 250,000 animals are
hoarded annually.
Currently, only two states in the United States have
laws specifically addressing animal hoarding. However,
each state’s animal cruelty statutes cover animal hoarding;
penalties may include fines, counseling, animal forfeiture,
and/or jail time. Let’s take a closer look at the laws in
Illinois and Hawaii that specifically target animal hoarders.
In Illinois, The Humane Care for Animals Act targets
hoarders who do not provide adequate food, shelter,
or humane treatment for animals. The Act targets
Companion Animal Hoarders as those who:
4 Possess a large number of animals, but fails to
provide food shelter, or humane treatment
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4 Keep the companion animals in a severely
overcrowded environment
4 Displays an inability to recognize or understand
the nature of or has reckless disregard for the
animal’s environment and the deleterious impact
on the animals or owner’s health and well-being.
Counseling is mandated for those convicted under
the Act.
Hawaii Senate Bill 3203 places limitations on the number
of animals allowed as well as the conditions in which the
animals are kept. Currently, Hawaii is the only U.S. state
to outlaw animal hoarding. However, the Bill does not
mandate counseling or restrict future animal ownership.
Check with local and state governments for information
to learn more about the laws pertaining to animal
hoarding and cruelty. If you suspect a resident is hoarding
animals of any kind, immediately contact your local animal
protective services agency.
Sources:
The Humane Society, www.humanesociety.org
The Humane Care for Animals Act, www.ilga.gov
Hawaii Senate Bill 3203, www.animallaw.info
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