1. Hoarding & Squalor Forum 22 May 2012 CONFIDENTIAL Information contained in this report is strictly confidential and may be subject to legal professional privilege. It is the exclusive property of SPCA Canterbury, and is solely for SPCA Canterbury internal use. No part of it may be circulated, copied, quoted or otherwise referred to without prior written approval of SPCA Canterbury.

2. Definition of animal hoarding High number of animals Inability to care Denial of inability to provide care Persistence in accumulating & controlling animals “They claim to have a special connection with animals, yet they are totally indifferent to their suffering” Dr. Gary Patronek, Tufts University

3. Impact on animals Numbers through ‘accidental breeding’ 80% of animals dead, diseased or injured Social needs ignored Chance of rehabilitation slim

15. SPCA Role… Animal Welfare Act animal welfare issue? Owner consent if healthy Animal control issue? Education critical Prosecution not appropriate in most cases