I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love.

For me they are the role model for being alive.

~ Gilda Radner

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

The Bone Collector

Collecting or hoarding, there's a fine line.




Stumpy may have crossed it.

While I joke about Stumpy's hoarding tendencies,the tendency to hoard and in particular, animal hoarding,is a huge and growing problem. I subscribe to the Animal Hoarding and News Blog. At least a couple of times a week this blog is updated with multiple cases of animal hoarding.

Hoarding is now classified as a medical/mental disorder, so cruelty/neglect/abuse charges are seldom filed. But animal hoarding is cruel. the impact hoarding has on the animals involved is brutal, physically and emotionally. Too often, animals coming out of these situations are unadoptable and euthanized, as a result.

Learn to recognize the symptoms of a hoarder. Document and report your findings to the local authorities, including animal control, health department and social services.
Listed below are symptoms and signs of animal hoarding.
•They have numerous animals and may not know the total number of animals in their care.
•Their home is deteriorated (i.e., dirty windows, broken furniture, holes in wall and floor, extreme clutter).
•There is a strong smell of ammonia, and floors may be covered with dried feces, urine, vomit, etc.
•Animals are emaciated, lethargic and not well socialized.
•Fleas and vermin are present.
•Individual is isolated from community and appears to be in neglect himself.
•Individual insists all animals are happy and healthy—even when there are clear signs of distress and illness.

11 comments:

Erica Vojnich said...

Aww Stumpy really has a love for bones!

Animal hoarding is so sad. I truly understand the love for wanting to keep an animal, but in those situations it's just sickening to everyone involved. In our area, there's been at least 3 animal hoarding houses that made it on the news.

Erica Vojnich said...

This is probably going to be a stupid question, but is Stumpy a Blue Heeler?

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

Stumpy just like to keep her bones close..
We know she isn't a hoarder. She isn't abused and she doesn't have a nasty home.. You go Stumpy keep your goods close...

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

She's an avid khollekhtor!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: Thanks fur sharing the hoarding info - it is a sad khondition fur all...

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

Erica, Stumpy's mom was a min pin and we are pretty sure her dad was a heeler.

Heelers, Stumpy appreciates your vote of confidence!

Khyra, Stumpy is definately an avid collector.
Experts believe that the frequency of hoarding is growing in direct relation to this economy.

Sandra said...

Gracie is a hoarder of everything. She takes shoes mostly to her sofa in the far front of the house. If something is missing, check her spot. She never chews, she just takes and stockpiles.

I know some people who hoarded horses. It's the same illness, only with a larger animal.

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

Sandra, I had a dog like Gracie. Stumpy is very discriminating; toys or bones, only.

I've seen quite a few cases of horse hoarding. I don't know, I don;t know how somwone can't "see" starving, sick animals, especially ones so large!

Anonymous said...

Trying to see the Min Pin in Stumpy... still looking, just can't see it. Maybe her feet?

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

Dogsmom, she was found with her min pin mom and littermates, so there's no doubt about the min pin part of her. Her bug eyes and deep heart girth are min pin traits if you ask me.

T said...

Just popping in to let you know I sent you an email. :)

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

Thanks, T, I'm looking now!