Animal hoarding and its effects on children: observations from a humane law enforcement professional

Abstract

Children raised in animal hoarding situations experience both short- and long-term physical and emotional hazards. Far too often, the needs of children are under-served due to lack of interagency cooperation, societal misperceptions and other mitigating factors. These issues are discussed as they relate to the effects of animal hoarding on children in the home. Content is drawn from the lifelong experience of a humane law enforcement and animal care professional. A sampling of case studies is offered, and observations are presented regarding the immediate and long-term risks and trauma experienced by children in the hands of people who hoard animals. Included are a universal definition of animal hoarding, an explanation of animal behaviour in hoarded homes, information about humane law enforcement agencies and problems associated with a lack of interagency cooperation.