Crazy Cat Lady, Explained

How many pets is too many? Once you can no longer adequately care for an/the animal(s) medically, emotionally, physically and/or safely, you've overstepped the limit. I try to be empathetic with people who've been hurt, but have a difficult time justifying hurting innocent animals (and kids, too). So many people would be happy to help out if those in trouble would ask for some assistance.

It is definitely a mental illness, and has little to nothing to do with people truly loving pets. It's sad, really, because it appears to be a behavior that is very difficult to treat. Most cases I have known of professionally are people who have repeatedly come to the attention of the law and mental health authorities because of their compulsions to hoard. The animals are removed, they offenders are allowed to keep a handful, and then they usually move away and start the behavior all over again, risking fines and having their animals removed all over again.

I think it's great that this issue is really showing up in the news to get knowledge about this serious illness out there. I have never seen or talked to a hoarder, but we have had lectures on what to look for if you suspect someone is a hoarder. It's so sad because I've been told that they actually have no idea how many animals they have. You can stand in their house and see 20 animals at their feet and they will tell you they only have 5. They will go to the vet's bringing a different animal each time, and get say ear medicine for example for a sick animal and never use it. They have no idea what they are doing but they think they are just helping animals have a home. They want to love and care for these strays but are unable. Hopefully a better solution will come up that improves the lives of both the pets and their owners!