When Caretakers Become Overwhelmed
On a busy Saturday afternoon in early October, an overwhelmed caretaker in Springfield reached out to their family member – they had too many cats, and they needed help. That family member jumped in their car and brought 27 cats to Dakin, a fraction of the cats in the home. Staff quickly mobilized to get cats out of the cardboard boxes that they came in and into carriers, then our skilled vet team started the medical intake process. Most of the cats were dehydrated or were suffering from upper respiratory illnesses, malnourishment, flea infestation, or pillow foot, an inflammation of the paw pads. Unfortunately, humane euthanasia was the kindest option for some of the sickest animals.
By partnering with law enforcement and offering compassion and empathy, Dakin was able to help the caretaker bring in the remaining cats and kittens from the home within two weeks of the original 27 cat surrender. In total, Dakin took in 96 cats from the home, ranging from newborn kittens to 4 years of age.
As the team took in the condition of the cats and the home, they realized it was an animal hoarding case. Such cases are complex – the caretaker begins with good intentions but becomes overwhelmed. As their overwhelm and the number of animals increases, it becomes harder for them to reach out to ask for help due to community stigma, shame, and the fear of losing their beloved pets. When organizations like Dakin respond to an animal hoarding case, it’s always as important to offer assistance to the person in crisis as well as to the animals involved. The situation is a complex intersection of mental health (true hoarding is a recognized mental health disorder), animal welfare, and social service challenges.
The majority of the cats rescued from the home were medically monitored and treated in colony rooms, to help ease their transition to living with fewer other cats. Some of them were transported to partner shelters who stepped up to Dakin’s call for help: MSPCA, ARL Boston, North Country Humane Society, and Berkshire Humane Society among them. Of the cats that remained in Dakin’s care, many have already found adoptive homes with hero adopters after recovering from their illnesses; the few that remain at Dakin have homes lined up after the end of their medical treatment. While at Dakin, all of the cats and kittens received daily care and enrichment from our dedicated volunteers so that they could learn that they are safe in this new environment. Many became more outgoing and independent.
While more coordinated systems between animal welfare and human services are needed to address such cases, Dakin’s community came together in a big way to help these cats. Not only did partner shelters take some of the cats, easing the load on Dakin’s staff and volunteers, but donors donated both money and significant amounts of cat food and litter. Volunteers came in not just for cat care and enrichment, but to sort donations, sanitize and clean, and do laundry.
Dakin’s partnerships with other animal shelters, specialized rescues, and law enforcement help make our support possible. Without these partnerships, our fantastic staff, and our community of volunteers and donors we would not be able to help pets and the animals who love them. Their support makes our support of overwhelmed caretakers possible.