Why do some people (usually women) hoard cats? What makes somebody, that would otherwise be normal, be "the crazy cat lady"?
Perhaps its mental imbalance (a specific obsessive-compulsive behavior known as compulsive hoarding or animal hoarding) or perhaps, the answer is a little bit more mundane for some (see mark 1:20).
Here's the trailer for a documentary called "Cat Ladies" by Christie CAllan-Jones of Chocolate Box Entertainment: hit play or go to Link [YouTube]
I think the woman they first showed was a hoarder. Just b/c someone takes good care of them doesn't make them any less of a hoarder. It's just that those are the kinds you usually see on the news.
I consider someone a hoarder when they just can't stop themselves from getting more.
Your friend w/ the 12 cats, if she has plans to get even more, then yes, I would consider her to have a hoarder mentality as well.
Nothing wrong with having a lot of pets, but when you just can't stop getting them, no matter how well you take care of them... it is hoarding. Just my opinion.
- Feed all of their cats enough food to keep them at a healthy weight.
- Spay & neuter ALL their cats.
- Get regular, timely vet care and keep their cats free of fleas, ticks and disease.
- Give their cats enough time and attention to keep them happy and friendly.
- Keep their cats in the house, or outside with clean, comfortable shelter and NOT ROAMING OFF THEIR PROPERTY.
I have 5 cats. Am I a hoarder? I keep them indoors at all times, everyone is well-fed, clean, healthy, spayed & neutered, disease- and parasite-free and is a tame and friendly fun companion. A co-worker of mine has 12 cats (and 2 dogs) kept in the same condition. Is she a hoarder? How about the lady who runs the cat rescue in our area, she has 30-40 cats in her house. I've seen her house and cats, both are well-cared for.
Are all 3 of us "crazy cat hoarders"? And my husband too?
A) Crazy lady
B) Cat lady
C) Crazy cat lady
Maybe accurate statistics would prove me totally wrong but in my personal anecdotal experience case C seems to be the most common. In other words; the crazy cat lady would not be otherwise normal without the cats in most cases.