Cat hoarding cases increasing in Colorado Springs

Cat hoarding cases are on the rise in Colorado Springs.

Animal Law Enforcement at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak region has responded to 25 cases in the last 18 months. It typically responds to two or three cases a year.

“We’re talking an exponential increase,” Director of Animal Law Enforcement Joe Stafford said.

He credits the increase to more people reporting problems.

Stafford said Animal Law Enforcement works with owners who cooperate. If they don’t, officers have to obtain a warrant to enter the home, and the owners may be charged.

“In a case when that person will not acknowledge that there’s a problem, then of course we would be looking at issuing a citation, because that’s the primary tool that we can use to put the case into the courts, so that the courts can seek appropriate resolution to the case,” Stafford said.

Animal hoarding cases are kept under watch, because the rate of repeat offenses is at 97 percent, Stafford said.

Hoarding is considered a mental illness. It was recently added to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5.)

To report animal hoarding, call Animal Law Enforcement at (719) 302-8798.