ANSC 250 1st Edition Lecture 14 Outline of Last Lecture I. DefinitionsII. Controlling cat populations III. Cat reproductionIV. Successful programs V. Why is this so controversial? Outline of Current Lecture I. What is animal hoarding? II. Profile of an animal hoarderIII. Conditions inside a hoarder’s homeIV. Rescue hoarders V. Treating and prosecuting animal hoarders VI. Hoarders video Current LectureI. What is Animal Hoarding? a. Defined in Illinois as….i. Having more than a typical number of animals to the point which has overwhelmed the person’s ability to provide even the minimal standards of care.ii. Keeping animals in a severely overcrowded environment iii. Failing to acknowledge deteriorating conditions of the animals and the environmentiv. Failing to recognize any negative effects that the situation has on the hoarder’s own well-being, and that of any other members of the householdb. Is a person who owns a lot of animals an animal hoarder?i. No!b. Animal hoarding is associated with very specific psychological conditions. (typically an older woman who lives alone with all her cats)II. Profile of an Animal Hoardera. The most commonly hoarded species is cats followed by dogs. The number of animals can range from 10 to over 1,000 in one household. There are over 3,000 people affected by this condition each year. (wide spectrum; men/women; single/married; young/old, others living in the house; professionals and white collar workers) These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.b. In the video shown, one hoarder had been addicted to drugs in the past. He has now become addicted to collecting animals. This is said to be more intense because in this case, the “drug” can love you back. c. In the video the psychologist says it painful for the hoarders to give up their animals because they give and receive perfect love and this is the only way they can derive satisfaction in their lives.d. Another example: person had more than 50 animals (cats, dogs, rabbits, chickens, fish, bird, guinea pigs, hogs!) II. Conditions Inside a Hoarder’s Homea. 100% of animal hoarders were deemed to be living in unsanitary conditions which ishigher than seen in those who strictly hoard objects. (81% for possession hoarders) b. We see zoonotic diseases, those transferred between humans and other animals.c. There are also high levels of ammonia, feces and urine buildup, pest infestations, and an overall offensive odor. (rescue workers require breathing apparatuses) II. "Rescue" Hoardersa. Rescue hoarders are those who make themselves out to be a legitimate animal rescues or sanctuaries.b. Some characteristics of rescue hoarders include;i. Unwillingness to let visitors see where the animals are keptii. Unwilling to say how many animals are presentiii. Little effort made to adopt animalsiv. Desire to receive animals at a remote locationv. Claims of being able to provide lifetime care to animals with special needsb. We have seen an increase in the number of rescue hoarders with the introduction of the “No-Kill” movement. (many have been raided and shut down- deplorable conditions) i. Ex. Caboodle Cat Ranch (ran by one guy who took care of lots of cats; things got out of control; 700-800 cats; poor conditions; he was charged with fraud and animal cruelty) ii. Ex. Thyme and Sage Ranch (dogs in poor conditions) II. Treating and Prosecuting Animal Hoardersa. Is there a single or easy explanation to explain why people hoard animals? If so, what model is used to explain this?i. No! Similar to object hoarders, but with intensified emotional attachments--> many different models used to explain: delusion, dementia, addiction, zoophilia, attachment, obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) b. Hoarders repeat their behavior almost 100% of the time if there is no long-term counseling.c. A task force is created to help address the different needs of a hoarding situation by bringing together different members of different agencies in a community. (includes psychologists; delicate task; home-checks and counseling is essential; careful planning and good execution during seizure)d. Prosecuting animal hoarders (sending them to court) is difficult and not always appropriate. (psychological counseling is needed)II. Hoarders Video (A&E's Hoarders)a. Most hoarders tend to have a traumatic event in their lives that triggers the hoardingbehavior – what was/were Terry’s triggering event(s)?i. At age of 13, her father died of a heart attack right in front of her; felt that she caused his death; feels that her life has been a failure; she is now afraid of death and is obsessed with keeping her cats alive b. What does Terry do when cats or kittens die in her house?i. She puts them in her fridge (wanted to get them cremated but never got the money too)b. What type of professional (Dr. Zasio) was called in to address Terry’s hoarding problem?i. Clinical psychologist b. The forensic veterinarian mentioned that sometimes people will hoard animals because they are afraid they will be euthanized, but often are unable to realize the suffering the living situation creates for those animals.c. The cleaning team had to wear protective equipment because of the presence of fecal dust in the air.d. The cats in Terry’s house were plagued with upper respiratory infections and burnedeyes. Oftentimes, the best thing for some of the cats was to euthanize them because of their medical conditions.e. What was given to Terry as a sign of closure? What did she choose to do with this?i. An urn of cat ashes; She chose to let the ashes go- dumped ashes into the riverb. At the end of the episode the update on Terry lets us know that she is now seeing an aftercare therapist and is being monitored by animal control. She hasn't acquired any more