Many hoarding cases ultimately involve legally sacntioned removal of the animals into protective custody. These situations require extensive planning and coordination in order to perform the rescue in a manner which protects the officers and animal care workers, maintains public safety, protets the rights of the hoarder, and most important, is as humane as possible for animals which are likely to be fearful of strangers and already stressed from poor nutrition, disease, and crowding. These concerns, as well as recommended procedures, have been outlined in detail: