I want to help a cat hoarder

[smilingcat]

First priority is to get all the cats spayed and neutered.

21 cats is too many to take care for almost anyone. Things you should watch for tell-tale sign for a hoarder are the health of the cats. Are they being fed, what are the litter box situation, best indicator, and the general health of each and every cat. Are they up on their FelV/FIV shots. Need one every three years. So each year she needs to take on average of 7 cats for their shots.

If she is unable to give them the basic care to the cats, then she is overwhelmed.

We have 10 cats, two dogs and three chicken. We stopped fostering since we can't handle any more. Last year my animal expense totaled almost $10,000, that's right that much. Between getting their annual physical checkup, blood test for seniors, dental work, food, litter, medical supplies, anti-biotic, steroids. Several of my cats have either auto-immune disease, or immune compromised, and one with Urinary blockage problem, he's been in emergency twice with less than 12 hours before his bladder would have ruptured. He would have died.

However, I do know of one person who routinely foster that many but that is all she do all day everyday. She goes through about 100 pounds of litter every week, two cases of large cat food and a large bag of cat food every week. Her garage is a stock room for cat litter, food and other supplies. She lives and works for the cats and her husband just puts up with her. When she goes on a vacation, it takes three of us to take care of the foster cats every day.

So with 17 cats, you should have some perspective on what it would take to take care of that many.

Hope this helps. And what Crankin said, she needs help too.

smilingcat