This letter is in response to the recent story in The Chronicle headlined “Mason County resident under investigation for cruelty involving 60 animals.”
The case reportedly involving 60 animals, including some allegedly in critical condition, who were discovered at a property in Mason County is a reminder that we all must be vigilant for signs of neglect and abuse.
Animal hoarders live in virtually every community. They defy a one-size-fits-all description.
They can be wealthy or poor, men or women. Some are married; others hide their compulsion from family and friends.
What animal hoarders do have in common is their extreme, often fatal, neglect of their victims. Hoarded animals may languish for months or even years, enduring starvation, dehydration and deprivation of veterinary care and socialization.
And almost all animal hoarders relapse, even if they have been charged with a crime. Enforced bans on animal ownership and frequent, unannounced home inspections are vital to prevent hoarders from harming other animals.
You can help, too. Start by fighting the animal overpopulation crisis — spay and neuter your animal companions and encourage everyone you know to do the same. And please, contact law enforcement at once if you know of or suspect a hoarding situation. Over half of such cases are brought to authorities’ attention by concerned neighbors who notice and report telltale signs like unsanitary conditions, persistent odors, excessive noise, and a proliferation of rodents and insects around the home.
Melissa Rae Sanger
The PETA Foundation
