Hoarding vs Responsable Keeping... when are we on the line?

[Snakeman8]

I hate it when animals are mistreated and are owned by an irresponsible owner, I would never do that to a snake,or a any animal, for that matter. I hope the snakes are in good care.

[Charis]

Originally Posted by Wildside

I don't even understand why this thread is a debate. It's not like hoarders ever admit to being hoarders without someone telling them they are. Just like drug addicts don't usually admit to having a problem until they receive some sort of wake up call. There is a psychological barrier in these people that prohibits them from accepting their own reality. We could sit here and spout off our opinions about who is a hoarder and who isn't all day, but that's not gonna do a thing to help said hoarder or any of the animals in their care.

This is true, but there is a bit of wide held misconception in the general public, fostered by these shows and animal rights groups that anyone with a certain number of any animal is a hoarder. It's good to define what really constitutes hoarding. I can bet that just about anyone on this forum with more than five snakes, and even sometimes less, will probably at some point be called a hoarder by someone simply because they can't conceive of wanting to own any snake let alone a bunch of them, so there must be something unbalanced about you. It probably accomplishes nothing true, but maybe by having it clear in your head first, you can explain the difference to those people so that they can understand the difference. And maybe by talking about it, some might take a harder look at themselves and be able to resist sliding across that line. And if in the end, it helps no one at all, who does it hurt?

[StudentoReptile]

Good post, Charis.

People will look for ANY excuse to ostracize those of us who keep snakes:
- religion
- public safety
- hygiene / Salmonella, etc.
- ecological threat

You are correct. It behooves us to get it right on our end, so we know how to respond to the nay-sayers. "No, I'm NOT a hoarder!" just doesn't cut it.

[Wildside]

Originally Posted by Charis

This is true, but there is a bit of wide held misconception in the general public, fostered by these shows and animal rights groups that anyone with a certain number of any animal is a hoarder. It's good to define what really constitutes hoarding. I can bet that just about anyone on this forum with more than five snakes, and even sometimes less, will probably at some point be called a hoarder by someone simply because they can't conceive of wanting to own any snake let alone a bunch of them, so there must be something unbalanced about you. It probably accomplishes nothing true, but maybe by having it clear in your head first, you can explain the difference to those people so that they can understand the difference. And maybe by talking about it, some might take a harder look at themselves and be able to resist sliding across that line. And if in the end, it helps no one at all, who does it hurt?

I don't take time to explain anything to people who can't mind their own business.

[Sorraia]

I don't believe there is any set number that makes one a "hoarder", but a combination of all of the above that's been said. Its a psychological condition where the person cannot recognize their limits, cannot so "No" to just one more, and cannot believe they may not actually be able to provide for the animal properly. When this happens in addition to financial limitations, the animals and the person suffers from improper care.

Like others here, I have been called a "hoarder" before because I have many animals. But unlike a true hoarder, I know what my limits are. Believe me, I'd love to rescue every needy animal out there! But I know I can't, and I am able to say "no" and turn away, as much as I hate doing it, that animal I cannot possibly take in for one reason or another. I not only know my limits on what number I can care for, but what conditions I can care for as well. An animal that has minor malnutrition (i.e. just needs to gain a few pounds so it isn't as ribby looking), I can care for, but I recognize I am not set up for or experienced or knowledgeable enough to take on a severe case of malnutrition/starvation. I know it is in the animal's best interest to go with someone who is more experienced or knowledgeable, and better able to devote the time and energy needed to make the animal better again. I have a budget and am able to afford the animals I have while still taking care of myself, human family, and home. Sure sometimes times get a little tough (like when everything decides to break at the same time hen I have no income because I'm on maternity leave...), but I have enough income, between my husband and I, and enough savings, to get through comfortably. These are the kinds of traits that differentiate a hoarder from a person who is not and just has a lot of animals.