Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel
The early signs of animal hoarding
Unique research looks at onset and development

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."

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.