Characteristics of 24 cases of animal hoarding in Spain

Abstract

Animal hoarding is considered to be an under-reported problem, which affects the welfare of both people and animals. Few published studies on animal hoarding are available in the scientific literature, particularly outside North America. The present study was designed to obtain data on animal hoarding in Spain, with a particular focus on animal welfare issues. Data were obtained retrospectively from 24 case reports of animal hoarding involving a total of 1,218 dogs and cats and 27 hoarders. All cases were the result of legal intervention by a Spanish humane society during the period from 2002 to 2011. Hoarders could be characterised as elderly, socially isolated men and women who tended to hoard only one species (dog or cat). Most cases presented a chronic course of more than five years of animal hoarding. The average number of animals per case was 50, with most animals being dogs. In 75% of cases the animals showed indications of poor welfare, including poor body condition, and the presence of wounds, parasitic and infectious illnesses. Amongst the hoarded animals aggression and social fear were the most commonly reported behaviours. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report on animal hoarding in Spain and one of the first in Europe. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the epidemiology, cross-cultural differences and aetiology of this under-recognised public health and welfare problem. More research might help to find efficient protocols to assist in the resolution and prevention of this kind of problem.

Frequency and spatial distribution of animal and object hoarder behavior in Curitiba, Paraná State, Brazil

“…Similar results were found previously in Spain and Australia, where 44% and 45.4% of animal hoarders presented signs of object hoarding, respectively 8,14 . This finding has reinforced the critical role of veterinarians 13 and the need for cross-disciplinary approaches in cooperation between veterinarians and social service agencies, departments of health, fire, housing and mental health to better identify cases and to develop appropriate intervention strategies 5 .…”

“…In addition, the correlation coefficient reported here may be considered low (r = -0.24; p = 0.03), suggesting that further studies should be performed to fully establish the relationship between hoarding frequency and income, particularly given the fact that the relationship with the hoarder's income, as opposed to neighborhood income, has been reported previously 18 . Regardless, the correlation reported here may reflect the reality of Brazil and both findings reinforce the potential for social exclusion of hoarders, as described previously 5,8,28 .…”

“…When associated with frustrations expressed by family members, hoarding behavior and its consequences may cause a strain on relationships 6 . Conditions of hoarding behavior may worsen when animal accumulation is involved 3 , singly or in association with object hoarding, exacerbating complaints by neighbors of animal noise and the smell of feces 3,4,8,9 .…”

Characteristics of animal hoarding cases referred to the RSPCA in New South Wales, Australia

“…This study reports consecutive cases of animal hoarding in NSW, Australia. Demographic characteristics can be compared with those reported in six previous reports of series that included more than 20 such cases (Table ): two each from USA and Australia and one each from Spain and Brazil . All were, to some extent, selected samples of cases.…”

Animal hoarding disorder: a systematic review

“…These individuals believe that they have a special ability to understand and sympathize with their animals. Despite all evidences contradicting their perception, most hoarders believe and claim that their animals are being well cared (Calvo et al 2014;Frost, 2000;Patronek, 1999).…”