Animal hoarding: The challenge for mental health, law enforcement, and animal welfare professionals

Animal hoarding has been considered a significant problem by animal welfare and law enforcement professionals for over a century. However, it has only been recognized as an indication of a mental disorder in the last decade. I review the different forms that animal hoarding can take and the current understanding of the prevalence, demographics and possible etiology of this disorder. Conventional animal cruelty laws have often been inadequate to respond to animal hoarding cases until they reach levels that may involve serious harm to animals and people. I document how prosecution of such cases can be difficult and often does not adequately consider the mental health issues underlying the problem or the high likelihood of recidivism. Attempts to solve these problems by enacting new laws specifically addressing animal hoarding have been controversial and ineffective. I explore new approaches that coordinate a variety of community resources in response to hoarding cases that offer the best opportunity to respond to both the human and animal problems associated with animal hoarding.