This one guy was my dad’s best friend. Years ago he remarried after a divorce. They are okay together, she’s a nice lady, but gradually developed a problem of keeping too many cats. Way too many. The house reeks, to put it mildly. Dad’s friend(DF) put up with it for a while, as long as he could get out an about. He’s retired but kept busy with many activities.
Now he had a stroke, and can’t get out as easily. and has become frustrasted with the living situation. It isn’t healthy either, it truly isn’t, for the people or the cats.
Inquiries have been made about getting rid of the cats, but local shelters and rescue groups are full up. If it was up to me I’d have them put down. It would be sad though, and I’m not sure a vet would be found to do it.
I have no idea what to do to help these people. She has mobility issues and other health issues as well, and I’m not sure if she’s willing to change. But DF shouldn’t have to put up with the hair and the stink.
Have you ever had to help someone in a situation like this? I like them both, as they are nice people, and I want them to be happy. But I find it hard to visit them in their own home. Any ideas?
I think you’d have to make an anonymous report to the county about an animal hoarding situation. It might be that there is a hard limit. (For my area, it is 5 dogs and/or cats. More than that, and you need to get a special registration.)
Either they’ll be inspired to do something on their own, when the goverment drops by to talk to them, or the government will do it for them.
How many cats are we talking, here? A dozen? A hundred? Are they actively multiplying?
I don’t know about multiplying, but according to DF’s sister, there are at least thirty cats on the property. That’s a house and two shelds, in a regular neighborhood.
I’m going to be speaking to a vet, in case he has advice on what to do.
If you wouldn’t like living someplace, why would a cat? If the house reeks, that is the people’s fault, as cats are not known to mop the floor or empty litter boxes. “Too many cats” should be neutered and allowed to live in a (safe) spacious environment, like even a modest back yard should be OK, but not a typical Manhattan apartment.
Local government authorities might be able to do something, depending on local laws & ordinances. But even if the situation is unlawful, the authorities will probably be apprehensive to do anything.
IANAD, but I’m pretty sure most hoarders have a metal illness, likely depression. So the best solution is for her to get counseling.
Crafter Man, they can get around although on a limited basis. Someone would have to drive them. I know their pastor well, as they belong to the same church as my mom. Don’t know if he’s been in the home, but if I spoke to him privately he may have advice. Maybe there are folks who specialize in counseling hoarders, the pastor might know. Thanks for the idea and recommendation.
Bringing in authorities will most likely result in the termination of most or all of the animals, unfortunately. However, it doesn’t sound like a healthy situation for anyone. It’s heartbreaking, but the welfare of the people is more important. Even if the animals have to be terminated, it’s probably the most humane option. Sorry if that sounds monstrous.
Talking to the pastor is very a good idea. Perhaps he could help re-home the animals throughout the congregation.
Contacting local police or the animal services for a hoarding situation is a place to start. Following up to that, you could report the home as unsafe for DF (and wife). There may be a government office or social services for elder care. If you contact them with health concerns, something may get done.
Seriously appreciate your vote of confidence. But…umm… no…not ‘NO’ but: Hell no!!
Anyway the Siameezers would thoroughly have a tail out of joint about that.
If the local animal shelters aren’t able to help, reach out (or ask them to reach out) to other shelters that aren’t necessarily local. I’ve seen shows where someone drives hundreds of miles to pick up animals that need to be adopted out.
The thing is, the owners HAVE to agree. If they aren’t up for it, there’s nothing you can do but report them to the city.
Do a search for Trap-Neuter-Release (or return) in your area and see if you can get help. If the cats are breeding, at least that can be stopped, and often the organizations that do this can help in other ways, with finding home, working with animal control, and possibly mental health orgs to help the hoarder.
I fell into this locally when I moved and discovered a couple of elderly neighbors feeding unfixed strays, resulting in a colony of stray and feral cats. I worked with a local shelter to trap them, and the shelter fixed and vaccinated them. We now have a stable, healthy population that are fed and sheltered by a few of us in the neighborhood, and no new kittens. It isn’t perfect, but it works in our city.