Characteristics of 23 cases of animal hoarding in Catalonia (Spain)

Introduction Animal hoarding is considered an under-reported problem, which affects the welfare of both people and animals. Few reports on animal hoarding are available in scientific literature, particularly outside North America. Objectives We designed a study to analyse cases of animal hoarding in Catalonia. Aims We wanted to expose the presence and consequences of this disorder in our area and to check for cross-cultural similarities with previous studies in other countries. Methods Data was obtained retrospectively from 23 case reports of animal hoarding in Catalonia collected by city councils and the Catalonian police from 1992 to 2015. Results Thirty-three people (20 women and 13 men) and 1521 animals, mainly dogs and cats, were involved. Most cases ( n  = 13) involved a sole animal hoarder. Most cases ( n  = 14) were chronic (lasting longer than 5 years). Object hoarding co-morbidity was found in most cases ( n  = 17). All hoarders were over 40-years-old, with half of them aged over 65. Only in 4 cases was an intervention by the healthcare system reported. Most of the hoarders (9 out of 13) actively opposed animal removal. In more than 50% of cases, the hoarder's personal care, health and financial situation were precarious. No awareness of the impaired welfare of the animals was found in most cases. Conclusions To the author's knowledge, this is the first study on animal hoarding in Catalonia and one of the few available in Europe. Our results are aligned with previous research, adding evidence of cross-cultural common elements of animal hoarding.