The early signs of animal hoarding
Due to the difficulty of studying animal hoarding behaviour, previous research has largely focused on extreme cases, after the authorities have become involved.
Researchers from the University of Lincoln's School of Life Sciences, however, aimed to fill this knowledge gap by looking at the onset and development of hoarding.
Co-author Dr Sarah Ellis explained that by the time the situation has become extreme, "hoarding behaviour is well developed and therefore our ability to understand the development of hoarding behaviours from such research is limited."
Furthermore, due to the "elusive and secretive" nature of animal hoarders, "identifying the early stages is often difficult so research is scarce."
The project was carried out in collaboration with the University of São Paulo, Brazil. Researchers took a sample of pet owners from the Brazilian population, as ownership of many animals, particularly cats, is relatively common.
Dr Ellis explained: "Our study used validated psychometric scopes for traits previously reported to be associated with animal hoarding such as anxiety, depression and attachment in addition to a saving inventory used to measure hoarding behaviour in object hoarding.
"We wanted to find out whether owners of large numbers of cats were more closely aligned to clinical animal hoarders or more typical cat owners on such measures."
The findings displayed considerable differences between owners of large numbers of cats, to owners of one or two cats. Those with large numbers were significantly older and more attached to their cats. They were also found to display a relationship between anxiety and hoarding behaviour that was not seen in the owners of one or two cats.
According to Dr Daniela Ramos, lead researcher from the University of São Paulo, vets in Brazil frequently see owners of large numbers of cats. Several of these, she added, could be at the early stages of hoarding.
Dr Ramos says this "points to the important role vets can play…[as] at this early stage it may be possible to help by education rather than intervention."
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
