Animal hoarding involves accumulating large numbers of animals beyond the capacity to provide adequate care. It is a serious welfare crisis affecting both animals and the humans involved.
Animal hoarding causes severe welfare harm through neglect, disease accumulation, and overcrowding. Unlike intentional cruelty, hoarding often involves the hoarder genuinely believing they are helping animals. Effective responses require both animal welfare intervention and mental health support for the hoarder. Without addressing the underlying psychological factors, animals are removed and hoarding recurs with new animals.