'Animal Rescuers' Putting Animal Health at Risk

Women who 'rescue' and hoard cats or other animals may show genuine concern, but could be actually harming their health.

According to Dr. Christiana Bratiotis, the project director of the Hoarding Research Project at Boston University's School of Social Work, hoarders are usually women - not married, middle aged or older, and socially isolated from relatives and friends.

Anxiety Disorder - Types - Causes - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - FAQs
Anxiety disorder involves excessive worry about actual circumstances, events or conflicts. Anyone can develop this disorder. Genes may play a role.

"Animal hoarders label themselves as rescuers," The New York Daily News quoted her as telling msnbc.com.

"Because of their mental illness, they have a very distorted belief that they are the person best suited to provide care for the animals," Bratiotis said.

"They're reluctant to place their animals in another person's care, despite the fact they're not well-fed or getting adequate veterinary care. They believe they're doing well by the animals," she added.

Hoarding - A Form of Compulsive, Anxiety Disorder
The habit of collecting and hoarding things, on the pretext for later use, could be a sign of a compulsive disorder.

But dogs, birds, horses, rabbits, rodents, reptiles and sheep also have been hoarded.

If the animals aren't getting adequate food and medical care, and if you can't keep the animals' mess cleaned up, you've simply got too many, Bratiotis said.

Hoarding can Endanger Lives, Says New Study
A new study has revealed that hoarders have a brain disorder resulting in an all-consuming compulsion to collect that often cuts them off from society and damages their relationships.

Source-ANI

For Women There is No Difference Between Pets and Babies
A survey by insurer Petplan has found that a majority of women treat their pets in a manner similar to babies.