How Do I Get Help for Animal Hoarding?

Animal hoarding is a complex mental health condition that endangers humans and pets alike. Animal hoarders think they are helping animals, unaware that they are hurting both themselves and the animals, and unaware that they are doing anything wrong. Often, a hoarder's home will be so unhealthy and unsafe that professionals need to intervene. Seeking help for animal hoarding is the first step in accepting that there is a problem.

Instructions

• 1

  Contact the local ASPCA. Let the ASPCA know that there are more animals in the house than can be cared for. The ASPCA will send a representative to your home to remove the animals. The animals will receive the medical treatment they need and then be placed for adoption by loving families.

• 2

  Seek medical attention. Many therapists are trained specifically to treat animal hoarding. Get treatment information from an organization such as the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Contact a help line, such as The International OCD Foundation, to find a therapist in your area.

• 3

  Ask friends and family for support. Animal hoarding is not an easy condition to overcome. Having family support will help with your feelings of loneliness.