I want to help a cat hoarder

[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.