I just received this in my email:
"Our program is to create awareness and education of what is the correct way of looking after pets.
As you know, hoarding is a serious animal welfare problem that affects every community in the country… but hardly anyone is doing anything about it. It’s only when the hoarding degenerates into criminal animal abuse that authorities can get involved. Before then, it festers, with helpless pets locked away inside the homes of people who are often suffering from serious emotional problems.
There are 3,000 - 6,000 animal hoarding case reported in the United States per year. The Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium states that
Animal Hoarding previously known as "collecting", is a poorly understood phenomenon which transcends simply owning or caring for more than the typical number of pets, and affects every community in the US. It has serious consequences for people, animals, and communities. New cases are reported in the media each day, with dozens of others unreported, and still more undetected.
Animal hoarding is a community problem. It is cruel to animals, can devastate families, be associated with elder abuse, child abuse, and self-neglect, and be costly for municipalities to resolve. Without appropriate post-intervention treatment, recidivism approaches 100%. Increased awareness, leading to more comprehensive long-term interventions, is needed. Without appropriate post-intervention treatment, recidivism approaches 100%. Increased awareness, leading to more comprehensive long-term interventions, is needed. (http://www.tufts.edu/vet/hoarding/)
To a hoarding situation, Animal Planet brings together a task force to help tackle the problem from all aspects. We approach every hoarding situation in an individualized manner- looking at the problems from a animal control, social and emotional view point. Our team of psychologists, veterinarians and animal welfare organizations work with concerned friends and family members to craft a real viable solution for the individuals and their pets. We provide psychological help, therapy and family counseling long after our cameras have left the scene.
We are currently in the middle of updating our website - so that the exotic pet community does not misunderstand us. Is the following paragraph sufficient?
"
ANIMAL HOARDING IS NOT ABOUT THE NUMBERS OF ANIMALS PEOPLE OWN
The number of animals that the hoarder keep is NOT the key factor. For example; a exotic pet owner could keep 50 reptiles in their home without being considered a hoarder. However if the owner was unable to provide the correct environments, veterinary care or meet the animals dietary needs, then they have surpassed their capabilities and are no longer putting the needs of their animals first."
