Collecting Animals
It is not uncommon these days to hear about “crazy cat ladies” and people who have several animal companions in their household. However, there is a much more dangerous behavior known as “animal hoarding,” that refers to a compulsive action or need to own animals for the sake of giving them love and care that results in unintended neglect and abuse. Every year, about 3,500 animal hoarders are convicted, and this usually affects about 250,000 animals annually.
Many animal hoarders do not realize their actions are hurting the animals. They end up overwhelmed by the burden, are isolated from society, and are alienated from anyone who could help them. They form emotional attachments to these animals and often clean spots for the animals, find special ways to prepare food, and so on, but in this obsessive action, they fail to see that they are neglecting other facets of their lives.
