Understanding Animal Hoarders  Cats_and_DogsBucks County SPCA
Executive Director Anne Irwin says animal hoarders have been
around for as long as she can remember, but animal welfare
workers have learned more about them during her 39 years with
the SPCA. She says they make life very difficult for themselves
and the animals they hoard.  Some also hoard trash and, as a
result, they present a public safety hazard.  “Many of these
places are real fire traps, and when first responders have to go
and help it’s a dangerous situation, it’s dangerous to
neighbors, and it’s difficult to resolve because it’s kind of
secret.”  She says she has seen more hoarding in the last few
years than she saw back in the 1970’s, and they start in
different ways.  “Some of them start as breeders.  Some of them
start out just loving animals and rescuing them.  Some of them
start with just two pets and then, not getting them neutered,
they end up with a whole houseful.”  She says at one time they
thought hoarders were just crazy people,