I want to help a cat hoarder

[Melalvai]

Starting about 10 years ago I have been unable to visit her because I literally can't breathe in her house. That was back when she "only" had about 12 cats. They are all indoor cats. She is terrified to let them out because they could be killed by dogs, coyotes, birds of prey, cars. She is on a limited income and can't afford regular medical care.

Most of them she has adopted. I believe there were one or two litters that happened accidentally. After the last litter I sent her $600 to have them fixed (which she did get done). When they are sick if she has money she takes them to the vet. Otherwise they don't get yearly shots.

I hate that we are 6 hours from her because I don't think she can take care of herself very well right now, much less all the cats. I would work very hard to help her find homes and take care of the cats, but that isn't enough-- I don't want to spend a lot of time and money only for her to take in even more.

Even in her homeless situation right now, with her elderly aunt taking care of all her cats, she managed to acquire one more. He managed to get out, and she's terribly worried about him.

My husband wants to wait until she's moved back in (which is happening this weekend), and when she is settled again he is going to talk to her. He (finally) is starting to agree that she has a problem-- the cats are part of her problem, they aren't the whole thing.

Recently we got all of her photos (they needed a safe dry place...boxes of photos we can take, they don't need litter boxes). My husband has been scanning them in. All the way back to her childhood in the 50's there are more photos of cats than of people! She remembers the fate of most of them, and even a lot of their names. She really does love cats, and I respect that, but I think it's taken an unhealthy turn recently.

Maybe a symptom of depression.

Not entirely sure what to do...I feel better since my husband seems to be taking it seriously, he is starting to be worried about it-- AND he has started calling her more frequently even though it's really hard to get a hold of her, even when she has a house.

Thanks for letting me talk about it on here.

[Irulan]

I would think you'd want to address the psychological issues that lie behind hoarding first.

[Crankin]

Thank you.
I was afraid to say this. This is a serious mental health issue, which often times needs someone who really specializes in hoarders. I would not be qualified to deal with this; it really is a specialty, often stemming from unresolved trauma and depression. I worked with one woman who hoarded cats and many other things at my first clinical internship and it was one of the toughest cases I have had.

[PamNY]

Here's what the ASPCA has to say about hoarding. The situation you describe doesn't sound as extreme as some of what is discussed here, but there might be some relevant info:

http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cr...-hoarding.aspx

Good luck to you and your husband. These situations can be heartbreaking. I don't know if she will realize it right away, but your mother-in-law is lucky to have your help.

[Koronin]

I'd say to make sure the cats are all fixed first, which is sounds like is done. Next is to deal with her and her mental issues. Which from everything I've seen, read, heard hording of any kind is a mental issue. With the cats all being fixed as long as she can't acquire any new ones then at least the population won't grow so that is a good start.