Individuals struggling with animal hoarding might not be aware of the unintentional harm they’re inflicting on the animals because they believe they’re doing the right thing by keeping them out of the streets. Hoarding is a complex issue. Fortunately, help is available. Bio-One of Oceanside’s animal hoarding cleanup technicians know that hoarding can be perceived by many as just a problem that needs to be solved, addressed, and taken care of… without looking into the root of the problem.
A person struggling with animal hoarding is most likely to be struggling with mental health issues, and they need help (even if they don’t see it) instead of being treated as a problem.
Now, there’s no denying that hoarding is a public health issue. However, it doesn’t mean that it should be addressed without compassion and empathy, especially when it comes to animal hoarding, an extreme situation where everyone’s lives are affected, especially the lives of the creatures the individual mistakes as helping.
Animal Hoarding - Common signs and behaviors
Many people have multiple pets, which doesn’t make them animal hoarders. Animal hoarding is the specific situation where an individual is housing more animals than they can take care of with minimum health, sanitation, and welfare standards. The most common signs of an individual struggling with animal hoarding include:
- Individuals own multiple pets, so many that they will lose count of how many animals are under their care.
- The house or property environment has deteriorated: there’s filth and clutter in the main living areas.
- Individuals tend to isolate themselves from friends and family.
- Animals show visible signs of mistreatment: lethargic, emaciated, malnourished.
- Individuals won’t admit that they have a problem. They will affirm that animals are in a perfect state of welfare and happiness when they’re showing clear signs of distress and sickness.
Unhealthy, dangerous, and inadequate living conditions are common
People struggling with animal hoarding won’t admit that they have a problem. They might have the best intention of helping and taking care of animals, but the living conditions associated with extreme animal housing make it difficult or almost impossible to provide decent care to these creatures. And not only are the animals affected, but the individuals as well.
This represents an important biohazard risk of infection for animals and individuals. If animals don’t have areas designated for feeding, bathing, and physiological needs, they risk getting sick and infected from waste.
As for humans, they are highly susceptible to these dangerous environments. The sad part of this narrative is that individuals struggling with animal hoarding will go out of their way to try to accommodate animals, so much so that they’ll neglect themselves, not knowing that animals are also being affected by this dangerous cycle.
Animal urine and feces create ammonia gases that can be toxic to humans. Also, a house with poor, unhealthy living conditions usually has very low air quality because of contamination and filth. This is a special health risk for everyone involved, as they can become ill from breathing this toxic air. Bio-One’s animal hoarding cleanup technicians are prepared to effectively contain and remediate areas affected by animal feces and urine, ensuring the environment returns to a habitable, safe state for everyone involved.
Everyone suffers in the face of an animal hoarding situation
Animal hoarding scenarios are difficult to approach. It’s hard to see someone who might be willing to help animals being overwhelmed by their misunderstanding, sense of responsibility, and frustration from not being able to provide better care for the creatures they care for.
Animals suffer from not having adequate living conditions, and it’s not something they can control… after all, they are animals. An individual struggling with animal hoarding is overwhelmed and unable to provide decent health and nutrition to these creatures. Both animals and individuals are just trapped in this mistaken, misguided intention of helping, loving, and being loved.
In the most extreme cases, animals can die in these deplorable conditions, so it’s important to attack a possible hoarding situation with extreme care and compassion for everyone involved.
Animal hoarding cleanup - What can you do to help?
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ⓡ (ASPCA) listed simple ways to help individuals and animals that might be victims of hoarding situations:
- Call your local humane Law Enforcement Department: Police Departments, Animal Welfare Organizations, or veterinarians to help you approach the person struggling with animal hoarding.
- Social service groups like Adult Protective Services, Health Departments, and mental health facilities can get you in touch with Professionals Authorities to help these individuals.
- Make your greatest effort to speak with the affected individuals: let them know that they need help and that, no matter what happens, animals will get the necessary help and assistance to have a better life.
- Volunteer: Get in contact with your family and friends to identify and help people who might be struggling with animal hoarding within your community.
Bio-One of Oceanside can help
If someone you know is struggling with animal hoarding, let Bio-One assist and help you. Our team of animal hoarding cleanup technicians is professionally trained to approach these scenarios with utmost care and compassion for everyone involved. Bio-One also works closely with Law Enforcement and Government agencies to assist families and individuals in all types of challenging situations.
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Bio-One of Oceanside is the #1 Disinfection, Sanitation, and Decontamination Company in North San Diego County, providing professional, industry standards services in all kinds of extreme scenarios:
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Hoarding cleanup services
- Hoarding cleanup
- Animal hoarding cleanup
- Gross filth cleanup
- Deep clean
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- Odor removal
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Bio-One of Oceanside springs into action to assist survivors when a traumatic event occurs. We work with local law enforcement, emergency responders, victim advocacy organizations, hoarding task forces, apartment communities, and insurance companies to ensure that you receive the greatest service feasible.
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