Is Animal-Hording a mental disorder? (you know 1 person - 500 cats)

[LynneSin]

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060724/NEWS/607240347/1006

Animal hoarders can't see their own cruelty

Actions of Haas sisters bizarre, but part of a rising national trend
By ROBIN BROWN
The News Journal

07/24/2006
They may start with good intentions -- and a pet or two.

But by the time problems prompt attention from animal welfare agents, health officials or police, they may have 1,000 pets -- and the remains of more.

"In animal hoarding, it's very common to find dead ones in the freezer," said Alison Gianotto, a founder of pet-abuse.com, an advocacy group.

Even as dying pets are seized, she said, "they will be telling the officials, 'No one can take care of these animals but me.' "

She's nearly 3,000 miles away in Del Mar, Calif., but Gianotto is following the case of Pamela and Candy Haas of Dover, free on $2,000 secured bail on charges of misdemeanor animal cruelty, conspiracy and abuse of a corpse.

They were arrested after the July 10 discovery of human remains in a plastic tub in a closet of their Jefferson Court town house. An officer, nearby on an unrelated case, noticed the Haas house's animal odor and called city inspectors and animal control, said Dover Police Department spokesman Capt. Lester Boney.

The Haases had 133 cats and three dogs, Boney said, and "10 to 20" cat corpses. Their veterinarian found only the dogs and three cats healthy enough not to be put to death, he said.

"This is the worst we've had in the city of Dover," Boney said.

On Thursday, the Office of the State Medical Examiner confirmed that the remains found inside a plastic tub were those of the women's mother, Mary Haas, 84. No foul play was found, but her cause of death is not yet known.

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On the Side Bar:

WHAT IS ANIMAL HOARDING?


The Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium defines an animal hoarder as someone who:


• Accumulates a large number of animals, overwhelming his or her ability to provide minimal standards of nutrition, veterinary care and sanitation.


• Fails to see or acknowledge deteriorating conditions of the housing and animals, even animals that are starving or dying.


• Fails to recognize the negative effects of the animals on his or her health and well-being and those of others.

Seriously, if I adopt one more cat without proof that either Abbott or Evita died of natural causes of old ages - cause the authority nows. According to statistics - 76% of Animal Horders are female and most tend to be unmarried. I'm DOOMED!!!

[txwhitedove]

1. Here ya go. New action figure - Crazy Cat Lady...

[LynneSin]

3. GOPisEvil got me one of those at Christmas - it's on my desk at work

of course I left it in the package

[MoonRiver]

2. I believe it's a form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

These disturbed people simply can't stop themselves. They are convinced that the animals are doomed unless under their care. Very sad situation for the animals. :cry: