Animal Welfare Professionals

We have a program to provide free preventative and wellness care for pets of unhoused and very low income individuals, in other words we are trying to increase access to care. But, we have had a few clients that bring us numerous animals and are evasive when asked how many animals they have. One case has been brought to the attention of animal control, not by anyone associated with our program. This leads me to worry that we are enabling hoarding even though I know that this is a mental health problem and individuals with this condition will likely collect animals even without access to care. But, still I worry. Your thoughts?

#AccesstoCare

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Julia Lewis, DVM, MPH
Veterinarian
San Mateo County Health, Public Health Policy and Planning
San Mateo, CA
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I appreciate your efforts to get some care for the animals in these cases. As you mentioned, the hoarders will hoard, usually without providing care. So, my thoughts are that's it's better for the animals if they can get care. Thank you for doing what you're doing. 

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Renee Milner
Nonprofit Board Member
Animal Shelter Alliance of Rhea
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-14-2023 03:04 PM
From: Julia Lewis
Subject: Does free veterinary care enable hoarding?

We have a program to provide free preventative and wellness care for pets of unhoused and very low income individuals, in other words we are trying to increase access to care. But, we have had a few clients that bring us numerous animals and are evasive when asked how many animals they have. One case has been brought to the attention of animal control, not by anyone associated with our program. This leads me to worry that we are enabling hoarding even though I know that this is a mental health problem and individuals with this condition will likely collect animals even without access to care. But, still I worry. Your thoughts?

#AccesstoCare

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Julia Lewis, DVM, MPH
Veterinarian
San Mateo County Health, Public Health Policy and Planning
San Mateo, CA
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I think that as veterinarians we should be reporting suspicions of animal neglect if we, in good faith, have reason to believe that it could be happening. I think this is true whether you're providing care in a standard private practice or in a low cost or free preventative care clinic. I understand the inclination to want to be certain you're right about a situation before saying something, but animal control can always go and do a welfare check and make sure everyone is fine. 

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Rebecca LaDronka
Veterinarian
Ingham County Animal Control & Shelter
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-14-2023 03:04 PM
From: Julia Lewis
Subject: Does free veterinary care enable hoarding?

We have a program to provide free preventative and wellness care for pets of unhoused and very low income individuals, in other words we are trying to increase access to care. But, we have had a few clients that bring us numerous animals and are evasive when asked how many animals they have. One case has been brought to the attention of animal control, not by anyone associated with our program. This leads me to worry that we are enabling hoarding even though I know that this is a mental health problem and individuals with this condition will likely collect animals even without access to care. But, still I worry. Your thoughts?

#AccesstoCare

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Julia Lewis, DVM, MPH
Veterinarian
San Mateo County Health, Public Health Policy and Planning
San Mateo, CA
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