Because of their preoccupation with animals, at some point hoarders are likely to have sought veterinary care. This may be for needed services, but also because veterinary hospitals, like shelters or other animal-related groups, will knowingly or unknowingly indulge their preoccupation with animals. Veterinarians may encounter hoarders in a number of different ways:

• As clients
• As staff members or volunteers
• As colleagues (HARC is aware of at least 5 full-blown hoarding cases involving veterinarians in active clinical practicec)
• Through their associations with rescue groups and shelters
• Through law enforcement when asked to evaluate animals
• As a participant in a rescue or rehabilitation effort

Of all the things a veterinarian can do, the most important may be to be aware of the warning signs of hoarding and to avoid becoming an enabler. The best way to avoid enabling is to be aware of warning signs which indicate the need for a closer look. If a veterinarian suspects a client may have hoarding tendencies, a veterinarian may be well-positioned throught thier position of trust and concern for both the hoarder and the animals to intiate a dialogue to probe for futher clues. In at least one state, veterinarians are listed among mandated reporters for suspected elder abuse. Mandated reporters: Illinois

Veterinarians have much to contribute to a positive resolution - helping with sterilization to limit further unwanted animal reproduction, working with the hoarder to develop a workable plan for preventive health care, providing the support needed to discourage further acquisitions, and finally helping the hoarder down-size to a manageable number of aniamls.

Becoming involved in a hoarding intervention is not a short-term or easy effort, but if it heads off a much worse situation, it is one which can save lives and improve human welfare as well. It would be wise to consider consulting a social worker familiar with adult self-neglect to learn how to best approach these kinds of situations in a way which will avoid alienating the person you are trying to help.

The local office of Aging or Adult Protective Services would be a good place to begin your inquiries. Consider the merits of a proactive action - introduce yourself to the public health authorities, department of elder services, etc., and offer to be a resource. This can be professionally rewarding and a practice builder as you establish yourself as a community leader. All of these agencies conduct periodic in-service training for their staffs, which would provide the opportunity to educate these agencies in a wide variety of human-animal relations issues.

If you do become involved in an animal rescue effort, see the following document for a checklist of things to consider as you prepare for your role. Remember, the skill and e and experience of police and animal control officers initiating an investigation and rescue may vary widely. Be sure you are comfortable with their expertise and organizational skills; effective hoarding intervention requires the same skills, teamwork, command structure, and leadership as a disaster response in order to conduct a safe and humane rescue, stay within the limits of the law, and collect evidence in a way likely to lead to a successful prosecution.

One final thought - as a veterinarian, your opinion will have great impact, be it in the media or the courts. Sadly, we have seen several cases where hoarders were defended by veterinarians, who were presumably unaware of the true conditions the animals were being kept. Hoarders will show you only one facet of the true situation - if you have any doubts, strongly consider a home visit before rendering any opinion which could impede legitimate intervention efforts.