aspca newsletter

WE ARE THEIR VOICE ©

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• About the ASPCA

• Spay or Neuter

• Horrors of Dog Fighting

• Greyhound Racing

• Animal Hoarding

• Circus Cruelty

• Happy Tails

“The ASPCA’s mission, as stated by Henry Bergh in

1866, is “to provide effective means for the

prevention of cruelty to animals throughout

the United States.”

DANIEL & NALAI changed Ginger’s name to Nala because of her close resemblance to a lion. She is beautiful, energetic and loves to play with my dog, Bruno. She also likes to play with toys andwater, I’ve noticed. She dunks her face in her water bowl daily. She comes everywhere with me and takes naps during car rides. I take her on three walks a day to release most of her high energy. She’s great! Thank you, Daniel

ALICIA & OSCARHello! Here is a photo of Oscar. He was listed on the Pet Page of the Beach Reporter as being at the South Bay location, but when I called, he was transferred that morning to the Topanga location. As luck would have it, that afternoon I would be working very close to the Topanga store. He’s doing extremely well, and he has made great friends with my other kitties. Thank you for my playful little companion!!! Alicia

MATT & ROXIEAttached is a picture of my wonderful dog Roxie, adopted in January of 2003 when she was only 9 months. She was a gorgeous dog but did look a little scary. I decided to take a chance on her, because she was young, and I thought I could train her. What I didn’t realize is that she didn’t need training. She just had a lot of built up energy from sitting in a kennel. After all, she is a boxer. Thank you, Matt.

March 2012 Issue Pg 2

Greyhound racing may seem like a harmless sport, but life in the fast lane is no picnic for these overworked dogs. Every year, thousands of young and healthy Greyhounds are killed merely because they lack racing potential, are injured while racing or are no longer copetitive. Life is hard for those who make the grade—they spend long hours in cramped kennels and are deprived of normal social contact and life experiences. While people are becoming more aware of the horror of this sport, there are still more than 20 tracks operating in the U.S. and one just over the border in Juarez, Mexico.

What are Greyhound breeding farms?Greyhounds begin life on a Greyhound breeding farm, where thousands of pups are born into the industry each year—of these, only a select few actually become racing dogs. This mas-sive over-breeding is done in order to produce winning dogs. The unwanted pups, those who don’t measure up to racing stadards, are simply destroyed. The racing industry also sells some of the dogs considered unfit for racing to laboratories, which use them in ex-periments.

How are Greyhounds housed at the tracks?

Housed at commercial racetracks, the dogs spend the majority of their lives in confine-ment—stacked in double-decker cages in warehouse-style kennels for up to twenty or more hours per day. The cages are just large enough for the dogs to stand in. Most of the enclosures are not heated or air-conditioned, causing the short-coated dogs to suffer during severe weather temperatures. Many dogs suffer from fleas, ticks and internalparasites.

Is racing dangerous for Greyhounds?

As a breed, Greyhounds love to run, but they fall victim to track condi-tions. Each year, thousands of these dogs are

seriously injured during races. Injuries include severed toes, broken legs, spinal cord paralysis, broken necks and cardiac arrest. And because so many dogs are kept in close quarters, con-tagious respiratory diseases can sweep through kennels, affecting both racing schedules and adoption efforts when a kennel is quarantined.While some of these dogs are retired and sent to rescue groups, others are simply killed

What happens to Greyhounds when they can no longer race?

While Greyhounds may live 13 or more years, they

are usually 18 months to 5 years old when they are retired from racing. Many are deemed unfit to race after an injury, some have little desire to race, while others are no longer fast enough to be profitable. While some of these dogs are retired and sent to rescue groups, others are simply killed or returned to breeding facilities to serve as breeding stock.

Is Greyhound racing legal in all states?

No. Greyhound racing attendance is dwindling nationwide as more people

fight to have the tracks closed and choose gambling venues that don’t involve animals. As a result, states are becoming more amenable to banning dog racing, because it is a money pit: state governments often wind up having to spend more to regulate the sport than they

get back in revenue. As of 2010, 11 states have expressly banned

dog racing, and there are fewer than 10 states with operational dog

tracks. Please visit the website of our friends Grey2K USA to see a map showing the legal status of dog racing in all 48 continental U.S. states.

What can I do to help?There are many ways you can help end the Greyhound racing industry:

• Do not attend Greyhound races. • Educate family and friends about the animal welfare problems and safety concerns related to Greyhound races. • Consider adopting a retired grey hound and encourage people you know to do the same. Greyhounds make wonderful family pets, and

adoption events are held all over n


Spaying or neutering your pet is an important decision for pet owners. As animal lovers who value our pets, it is important to understand the impact of this decision. It happens everywhere

In every community, in every state, there are homeless animals. In the U.S. as a whole, there are an estimated 6-8 million homeless animals entering animal shelters every year. About half of these animals are adopted, and tragically, the other half are euthanized. These are healthy, sweet pets who would have made great com-panions.

These are not the offspring of homeless “street” animals—these are the puppies and kittens of cherished family pets and even purebreds.

Yes, your pet’s offspring could be shelter ani-mals. Many people believe that their pet’s pup-pies or kittens would never become homeless shelter animals. But the reality is that every time the dog finds his way under the fence to visit the neighbor’s female dog, or the indoor/out-door cat comes back home pregnant again, the result is a litter of dogs or cats. Even if they are placed into homes, it is still possible for them to end up in shelters once they become “hard to handle,” or for them to reproduce further and for the next generation of puppies or kittens to wind up homeless. Many people are surprised to learn that nationwide more than 3 million cats

and dogs are euthanized in shelters. Spay/neu-ter is the only permanent, 100-percent effective method of birth control for dogs and cats.

Not just for dogs and cats. When being conscientious about the pet overpopulation, don’t forget to spay or neuter your pet rabbit.

Rabbits reproduce faster than dogs or cats and often end up in shelters where they must be euthanized. Spaying or neutering rabbits can reduce hormone-driven behavior such as lunging, mounting, spraying and boxing. Spay-ing females can prevent ovarian, mammary and uterine cancers, which can be prevalent in mature females.

Millions of pet deaths each year are a need-less tragedy. By spaying and neutering your pet, you can be an important part of the solution.

Contact your veterinarian today and be sure to let your family and friends know that they should do the same.

The cost of caring for a pet, including provid-ing veterinary care, should be considered be-fore acquiring an animal. Many animal shelters

offer low-cost spay/neuter services, and there are also many low-cost spay/neuter clinics across the country. To find low-cost options in your area, call your local animal shelter. The reality is that the cost associated with providing adequate care for just one litter of puppies or kittens is often more than the cost of spaying or neutering. The cost of feeding, worming and first vaccinations for a litter can be upwards of $200 to $300 n

“The number of homeless animals varies by state; in some states there are as many as 300,000 homeless animals euthanized in animal shelters every year.”


Please save lives by spaying or neutering your pet.

Please save lives by spaying or neutering your pet.


For centuries, humans have deliberately pitted dog-aggressive dogs in staged fights against one another. Why are animal welfare advocates no closer to

ending this brutal blood sport?The crowd’s roar dulled to a hum as the next

two fighters appeared. The previous match had been short, as one contestant quickly out-matched his opponent, mauling him badly and tearing off an ear. But this final fight matched two skilled and highly respected combatants. They eyed each other eagerly from across the pit, muscles tensed in anticipation. Spectators came to the edge of their seats. Fathers lifted children to their shoulders for a better view as the referee stepped to the center, called the dogs to their scratch lines and yelled, “Let go!” A cheer arose as the dogs charged across the pit and slammed into each other, teeth flashing as they sought a vulnerable target. After half an hour of fighting, the brindle looked beaten.

Wounded and panting, he turned away from his opponent. The referee called the turn, and, when neither dog had a hold on the other, the handlers picked them up. The dogs were returned to their scratch lines and held. Both were breathing hard and bleeding from their bite wounds. Because he made the turn, the brindle would be released first. If he failed to attack now, he would lose. “Let go,” the judge called again. The brindle was exhausted and badly hurt—but he was a game dog. Responding to an impulse bred into him over generations and nurtured through training, he stumbled across his scratch line toward his opponent. The other dog’s handler released him with the encouragement, “Finish him off, Bo.” Bo knocked the brindle to the ground, seeking a hold on his throat. Though getting the worst of the fight, the brindle managed to grab Bo’s right front leg in his powerful jaws. As he bit down hard and twisted, the snap of breaking

bone was heard. Bo lurched backward and then turned away from the brindle. Now it was Bo’s turn to scratch. Barely able to stand in his corner, the brindle strained against his handler’s arms, eager to continue the fight. But when he was released, Bo would not cross the pit. The referee called, “One…. Two… Time!” The crowd cheered for the brindle. He would die from his injuries an hour later, but he had won his fight. Bo’s handler spit on the ground. He had a lot of money on this match. Muttering, “Worthless cur,” he dragged Bo out of the barn and toward his truck, where a shotgun waited.

THE DOGSThis fight could have occurred in any state,

in a barn or a city warehouse. The participants might have been Caucasian, African American or Hispanic, and the year could have been 1897 or 2007. The development of modern dogfight-ing as practiced in Europe, North America and

Horrors of Dog Fighting


South America can be clearly traced to 1835, when bull-baiting was banned in England. After the ban, the owners of “bulldogs”—used up until then to bait bulls, bears and other animals—turned to staging fights between their dogs to satisfy their blood lust. The large, heavy bull dogs were eventually crossed with small, more agile terriers to produce the “bull terriers” that became the fountainhead of today’s promi-nent fighting breeds. Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers and American Pit Bull Terriers all hail from this ancestry. Com-monly, dogs falling into this broad class are identified as pit bulls.

It’s important to understand that not just any dog can be trained for pit fighting. Much like herding dogs, hunting dogs and other breeds designed for particular roles, fighting dogs have been genetically engineered to be receptive to the training that will prepare them to succeed in the pit. Staged fights are not the same as the scuffles seen in dog runs or between dogs in the same home. Most fights among pet dogs end quickly, with one individual submitting to the other, and they rarely result in serious inju-ries. The winner typically accepts the submis-sion signals of the loser and ends the encounter with no further aggression.

To produce successful fighting dogs, certain aspects of normal dog behavior had to be altered. Most fighting dogs will continue to at-tack, regardless of whether their opponent gives up or not. In addition, a “game” fighting dog will continue to do battle even though badly injured. Gameness—a dog’s willingness to persevere despite great adversity—is the most admired trait in fighting dogs. Great attention is paid to breeding only sires and dams that pass this quality on to their progeny. In fact, the owner of a Grand Champion—a dog that has won five contests—can sell the dog’s pups for as much as $20,000 apiece. The serious dogfighter is as familiar with the bloodlines of champion fighting dogs as any thoroughbred aficionado is of Triple Crown contenders.

With the high level of aggression that some pit bulls show toward other dogs, it may seem a contradiction that they also are described as loyal and gentle companion animals. However, these seemingly conflicting characteristics are hallmarks of a well-bred fighting dog. Before each fight, the dogs are washed, usually by the other dog’s handler, to ensure that no foreign substances have been placed on the animal

to inhibit an opponent from biting and holding. During fights, dogs are in the pit with handlers and the referee, and they are handled during fighting, training and breeding. Consequently, professional breeders of fighting dogs are very intolerant of “people mean” dogs. Dogs that dis-play aggression toward people are certainly not bred and are almost always culled. Unfortunately, an increased level of human-directed aggression is being documented as individuals outside the traditional dogfighting culture acquire and breed pit bulls for protection or as status symbols. Poor training and poor breeding are, in part, responsible for the increasing numbers of pit bulls and pit bull mixes involved in attacks against people.

THE PEOPLEIn early times, dogfighting by professionals

and the upper classes was viewed as a tawdry but acceptable pastime—if one didn’t advertise it in public. Among the working classes, espe-cially in rural areas, dogfighting was a grand family event. Large conventions, as they were traditionally called, might include a barbecue, music, games for the children and parking security provided by the local sheriff.

Much less accepted nowadays, dogfighting is an underground activity. Undercover cruelty investigators describe an environment of casual cruelty and easy violence. Defeated dogs are killed and dumped; stolen dogs and cats are

used to train fighting dogs. Successful raids on dogfighting rings typically net a cross section of people. “Dog fighters represent a range of personality types and psychological disorders,” says Stephanie LaFarge, Ph.D., Senior Director, ASPCA Counseling Services. Like anyone, they are molded by their environment and begin to develop a system of values early. “School life offers them little fulfillment and humiliates them into doing socially unacceptable things in an environment where beating the system is the goal.”

“Self esteem is an important issue with this population,” adds Officer Mark MacDonald, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement special in-vestigator. “Fighting gives them the respect and power that they do not have in other areas of their lives.”

“Many fighters come from non-responsive homes and communities with limited social or economic opportunity,” he says. “They never acquire the tools to excel. With dogfighting, they are accepted, especially if they have a winning dog. Well known and respected in their circle, they are emulated by others. They gain a tremendous satisfaction and positive reinforce-ment from their new ‘friends.’ And because of their commitment to the care and training of their dog, their dog is a winner, and so are they.” Some, particularly the professional fight-ers, liken dogfighting to boxing, with the owner as coach and the dog as prize fighter n


Athough the issues regarding circus cruelty have gained much-needed attention in recent years, circus animals still suffer from lives of confinement, social deprivation and violent methods of training.

In many circuses, animals are trained through the use of intimidation and physical abuse. Former circus employees have reported seeing animals beaten, whipped and denied food and water, all to force them to learn their routines. Animals are taught that not obeying the trainer will result in physical abuse. In the United States, no government agency monitors animal training sessions.

Traveling from town to town is also inherently stressful for circus animals—they are separated from their social groups and intensively con-fined or chained for extended periods of time with no access to food, water, and veterinary

care. It’s no surprise that many animals suffer psychological effects. Swaying back and forth, head-bobbing and pacing are just some of the stereotypical behaviors associated with mental distress displayed by animals in the circus.

Public Safety ConcernsAnimals in circuses are also a threat to public

safety. There have been hundreds of incidents involving circus animals attacking and escap-ing—often resulting in property damage, injuries and death.

Furthermore there is a risk of disease. Some elephants used in circuses have been found to carry a human strain of tuberculosis, which can be easily passed on to humans.

ASPCA in ActionIn the year 2000, the ASPCA—along with

The Fund for Animals, Born Free USA and the Animal Welfare Institute—filed a federal lawsuit against Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The lawsuit contended that the circus’s treatment of its Asian elephants violates the federal Endangered Species Act. Unfortunately, on December 30, 2009, the case was decided on behalf of the defense (Ringling’s owners, Feld Entertainment) based on lack of standing of the plaintiffs.

Top Ten Ways to Fight Circus CrueltyThe ASPCA has been working to educate the

public about the cruelty taking place under the big top since the late 19th century—but your help is needed! Here are ten ways you can help fight circus cruelty:

Don’t Go to the Circus! …Unless it’s one that doesn’t feature animal performers.


Support Stronger Laws Fight for state and federal laws that protect animals and raise the minimum allowable standards of care.

Attend a City Council Meeting Counties, cities and even universities have succeeded in keeping cruel circuses out by banning wild and exotic animal performances. If you’re interested in passing a similar ordinance where you live, get involved in your local government.

Alert the Media! Contact your local news-papers and television stations when a circus comes to town, letting them know about the cruelty often inflicted on animals who are forced to entertain.

Contact the Venue Hosting the Circus Ask that the invitation be withdrawn and suggest an animal free circus for the future.

Ask Authorities to Inspect When a circus comes to your area, make sure the correct per-mits have been obtained. Also, contact your lo-cal law enforcement agency or humane society and ask them to make sure the circus follows local and state laws regarding the humane treatment of animals.

Report Abuse If you see something, say something!Report any abuse relating to circus animals to the proper authorities—the U.S. Department of Agriculture and your local animal control agency.

Set an Example for Others Get the facts on circus cruelty on ASPCA.org and educate your friends, family and community about cruelty to circus animals.

Ask Local School Boards to Ban Circus Promotions Circuses often engage in promo-tions with schools to encourage class field trips. Be sure to speak out against this!

Educate Your Children Talk to your kids about why circuses are cruel and visit our children’s website, ASPCAKids, for circus information written especially for them.

Elephants: Broken SpiritsElephants in circuses are

denied everything that is

natural and important to them. Many elephants become dysfunctional, unhealthy, depressed, and aggressive as a result of the cruel con-ditions in which they are kept. In the wild, elephants often nurse their babies until 5 years of age, and the babies are raised in a nurturing environment in which they are protected and comforted. Daughters stay with their mothers for life, and sons stay until they reach adoles-cence.

At some circuses, still-nursing baby el-ephants (usually 18 to 24 months of age) are captured rodeo-style, roped around all four legs, tethered neck-to-neck to an anchor

elephant, and dragged from their mothers. From this point forward, their relationship with their mother is abruptly terminated and every move-ment, every instinct, and every natural behavior is subject to discipline.

Elephants are so intensely emotional and protective that it is well documented that they experience great sadness over losing their young, and it must horrify them to watch their babies tormented in servitude.

Most elephants used by circuses and zoos were captured in the wild and forced to leave their freedom and families behind. Some people mistakenly believe that cap-tive breeding will help prevent elephants from becoming extinct, but elephants who are born in the breeding centers of circuses and zoos (also known as

captive-born elephants) can never be returned to the wild.

Tyke’s StoryTyke was a female circus elephant who on

August 20, 1994, in Honolulu, Hawaii, killed her trainer, Allen Campbell, and gored her groomer Dallas Beckwith causing severe injuries during a Circus International performance before hundreds of horrified spectators at the Neal Blaisdell Center. Tyke then bolted from the arena and ran through downtown streets of Kakaako for more than thirty minutes. Police fired 86 shots at Tyke, who eventually collapsed from the wounds onto a blue car and died.

Tyke became the poster elephant of circus tragedies and a symbol for animal rights. Dozens of lawsuits were filed against the city, the state, the circus and Tyke’s owner, John Cuneo Jr. and his Hawthorn Corp. Honolulu trial lawyer William Fenton Sink successfully sued Cuneo on behalf of numerous plaintiffs, including young children, who suffered psychological injuries after witnessing Tyke’s killing. The suits were settled out of court and the amounts were never made public. Based on Mr. Sink’s work in the Tyke case, Animal Rights Hawaii renamed its prestigious Order of the Innocent award to The William Fenton Sink Award. You can report cruelty or fighting complaints to either the New York City Police

Department or to the ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement department at

(212) 876-7700, ext. 4450 Reports of animal cruelty can be directed

to the police department with jurisdiction over your city,

town or county. Call (800) 582-5979 n

“Former circus employees have reported seeing animals beaten, whipped and denied food and water”


New York City, 2008- ASPCA’S Humane Law Enforcement agents arrived on the scene to find over 20 Pomeranian dogs in a couple’s one-bedroom apartment. The canines were severely matted and the apartment was covered with filth and debris. The couple insisted that the animals were well cared for, despite physical evidence to the contrary, and refused to surrender them.

What explains behavior like this? Is there cruel intent behind it, or is it simply a case of well-meaning people who took on too much responsibility? Are there psychological issues at play? Animal hoarding is a complex and intricate issue with far-reaching effects that encompass mental health, animal welfare and public safety concerns. It has been estimated that there are 900 to 2,000 new cases every year in the United States, with a quarter million animals falling victim. Those “collected” range in species from cats and dogs to reptiles, rodents, birds, exotics and even farm animals.

What Is Animal Hoarding?Animal hoarding is a complex and intricate public health and community issue. Its effects are far-reaching and encompass mental health, animal welfare and public safety concerns.

The following criteria are used to define animal hoarding:

• More than the typical number of companion animals

• Inability to provide even minimal standards of nutrition, sanitation, shelter and veterinary care, with this neglect often resulting in starvation, illness and death

• Denial of the inability to provide this mini-mum care and the impact of that failure on the animals, the household and human oc-cupants of the dwelling

This definition comes from the Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium, an independent group of academic researchers based in Mas-sachusetts. The full definition and more info can be found at http://www.tufts.edu/vet/cfa/hoard-ing/index.html.

Why Do People Hoard Animals?It is not clearly understood why people become animal hoarders. Early research pointed toward

a variant of obsessive-compulsive disorders, but new studies and theories are leading toward attachment disorders in conjunction with personality disorders, paranoia, delusional thinking, depression and other mental illnesses. Some animal hoarders began collecting after a traumatic event or loss, while others see themselves as “rescuers” who save animals from lives on the street. “Historically, a person

who collected animals was viewed as an animal lover who got in over his or her head, but the truth is that people who hoard are experiencing a total loss of insight,” says Dr. Randall Lock-wood, ASPCA Senior Vice President, Forensic Sciences and Anti-cruelty Projects. “They have no real perception of the harm they’re doing to the animals.”

In the majority of cases, animal hoarders appear intelligent and clearly believe they are helping their animals. They often claim that any home is better than letting that animal die. In addition, many hoarders possess the ability to garner sympathy and to deceive others into thinking their situation is under control. They often are blind to the fact that they are not car-ing for the animals and to the extreme suffering they are inflicting.

According to Dr. Lockwood, “Being kept by a hoarder is a slow kind of death for the animal. Actually, it can be a fate worse than death.”

How Can I Tell if Someone Is a Hoarder?It’s not always easy. Animal hoarders range in age, and can be men or women of any race or ethnic group. Elderly people tend to be more at risk due to their own deteriorating health and

isolation from community and social groups. One commonality between all hoarders is a failure to grasp the severity of their situation.

“I have worked with many animal hoarders in their homes. Their mental illness allows them to maintain an absolute denial of the filth and the suffering of the animals,” says Dr. Stephanie LaFarge, ASPCA Senior Director of Counseling Services. “They simply cannot see or smell.”.

Here are several signs that may indicate someone is an animal hoarder:

• They have numerous animals and may not know the total number of animals in their care.

• Their home is deteriorated (i.e., dirty win-dows, 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.

Do Hoarders Often Pose as Rescue Groups or Sanctuaries?Absolutely. Research shows many hoarders are beginning to set themselves up as “rescue shelters,” complete with 501(c)(3) not-for-profit status. They may appear to be sensible people, persuasively conveying their love for animals and readiness to take those who are sick and

Animal Hoarding

“Animal hoarding is an intricate issue with far-reaching effects that encompass mental health, animal welfare and public safety concerns”


with special needs. Furthermore, the Internet appears to be becoming a great tool for solici-tation.

“When looking to place an animal, it is easy for a person to get seduced by a pretty website,” points out Lockwood. “We need to caution people to look behind the curtain before giving over an animal.”

Here are several signs that a rescue group or shelter may involve a hoarder:

• The group is unwilling to let visitors see the location where animals are kept.

• The group will not disclose the number of animals in its care.

• Little effort is made to adopt animals out.• More animals are continually taken in, de-

spite the poor condition of existing animals.• Legitimate shelters and rescue organizations

are viewed as the enemy.• Animals may be received at a remote loca-

tion (parking lot, street corner, etc.) rather than at the group’s facilities.

I Have Many Animals—Could I Be a Hoarder?It’s important to note that not everyone who has multiple animals is an animal hoarder. A person may have a dozen animals, and all are spayed and neutered and provided with regular veteri-nary care and a sanitary environment. This per-son would not be an animal hoarder. Even res-cuers who occasionally become overwhelmed are not considered hoarders if they are actively trying to modify the situation. That said, if you think you might have too many animals to care for properly, please contact your local shelter or a veterinarian for help.

Prevalence of Animal Hoarding?It has been estimated that there are 900 to 2,000 new cases of animal hoarding every year in the United States, with a quarter million animals falling victim. Animals collected range from cats and dogs to reptiles, rodents, birds, exotics and even farm animals.

Should Hoarders Be Prosecuted?In most cases, criminal prosecution of animal hoarding can be a difficult process and may not be the most effective route. Such cases are difficult to successfully prosecute and, once litigation ends, the hoarder is likely to resume collecting an excessive number of animals un-less closely monitored. “Hoarders are like drug addicts—you can’t cure them, you can only

prevent relapses,” says Lockwood.Some say prosecution isn’t the answer be-

cause hoarders are often emotionally troubled rather than criminally inclined. “Like many psychological conditions, the causes of animal hoarding are probably multiple and, therefore, assessment of emotions, behavior and thoughts must be multifaceted to point the way toward successful treatment,” says the ASPCA’s Dr. LaFarge. In some cases judges can impose conditions that actually help the hoarder. They can require counseling, for instance, or prohibit the person from having animals.

What is clear is that prosecution alone rarely alters the behavior. “It is essential that key community agencies work together to prevent animal hoarders from harming the large number of animals they gain control over,” says La-Farge. “Social service agencies must collabo-rate with animal shelters and law enforcement to intervene to save the animals and then follow up with years of monitoring to prevent a recur-rence. The general public needs to be educated to realize that the hoarder is not just a nice little old lady who ‘loves too much.’”

Are There Laws Against Animal Hoarding?

Animal hoarding is covered implicitly under every state’s animal cruelty statute, which typi-cally requires caretakers to provide sufficient food and

water, veterinary care and a sanitary environ-ment. Only two states, Illinois and Hawaii, currently have statutory language specifically addressing animal hoarding. With guidance from ASPCA, the Illinois Companion Animal Hoarder Act was created in 2001 to create a legal definition for “companion animal hoarder” and mandate counseling for those convicted of animal cruelty who meet the definition. Animal hoarding itself is not prohibited by the statute. Hawaii’s 2008 law is the only state law specifi-cally outlawing animal hoarding. It does not mandate psychological counseling for convict-ed hoarders or restrict future animal ownership. Anti-hoarding legislation has been proposed, but not passed, in several other states.

How Can I Help?If you think someone you know is struggling

with animal hoarding, here are some ways you can help:

Pick up the phone and call your local hu-mane law enforcement department, police de-partment, animal shelter, animal welfare group or veterinarian to initiate the process. You may not want to get the person “in trouble,” but a phone call may be the first step to get them and the animals the help they need. “Often people don;t report hoarding situations because they are worried the hoarder will get in trouble or that the animals will get taken away,” says the ASPCA’s Allison Cardona, Director of Disaster

Response. “What I would like to stress is that these situations only get worse

with time, and the animals always end up getting taken

out of the home. It is always better to say

something—this is the first step

for both the animals and the people to

get the help needed n


What We Do...As the first humane organization to be granted legal authority to investigate and make arrests for crimes against animals, we are wholly dedi-cated to fulfilling the ASPCA mission through nonviolent approaches. Our organizationpro-vides local and national leadership in three key areas: caring for pet parents and pets, for positive outcomes for animals.

History...Incorporated in 1866 by a special act of the New York State legislature, the ASPCA has a history rich in challenges and victories from providing care and protection for the city’s working horses and transforming dog pounds into professionally run adoptions facilities to founding an animal hospital that is still running today.

About us...Who We Are...The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was the first humane society to be established in North America and is, today, one of the largest in the world. Our organization was founded by Henry Bergh in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans, and must be protected.

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