Animal Hoarding

 Animal hoarding is defined using the following criteria:

More than the typical number of companion animals

Failure to provide minimal standards of nutrition, sanitation, shelter, and veterinary care, with this neglect often resulting in illness and death from starvation, spread of infectious disease, and untreated injury or medical condition.

Denial of the inability to provide this minimum care and the impact of that failure on the animals, the household, and the human occupants of the dwelling.

Persistence, despite this failure, in accumulating and controlling animals.

Source: The Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium

When assessing a pet owner/guardian's level of failure to provide for its animals, it helps to consider The Five Freedoms:

1.   Freedom from Hunger and Thirst

By ready access to fresh water and diet to maintain health and vigor.

2.  Freedom from Discomfort

By providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.

3.  Freedom from Pain, Injury, or Disease

By prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.

4.  Freedom to Express Normal Behavior

By providing sufficient space, proper facilities, and company of the animal's own kind.

5.  Freedom from Fear and Distress

By ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.  

Animal hoarding is not explicitly mentioned in cruelty statues in any state except for two, Illinois and Hawaii.  However, the basic features of animal hoarding, such as failure to provide adequate food and water and failure to provide appropriate medical care, are prohibited by animal cruelty laws.  Learn more about signs of animal cruelty.