Fact sheets › Animal cruelty
Animal cruelty
Animal hoarding
Animal hoarding is keeping far more animals than a person can properly look after. Despite often good intentions, it leads to overcrowding, disease and serious neglect.
About animal hoarding
Hoarders accumulate animals and fail to provide adequate food, sanitation, space or veterinary care, often while denying there is a problem.
Conditions can become extremely unsanitary, with sick, dying and dead animals present.
Signs to look for
- A large number of animals at one property, often in overcrowded or filthy conditions
- A strong smell of ammonia/urine from a home or outbuildings
- Sick, thin or untreated animals, or animals that are never seen outside
- A resident who is overwhelmed and resistant to help
The law
Where animals' needs are not met or they suffer unnecessarily, offences arise under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Cases are often best resolved with a combination of welfare enforcement and support, and may result in animals being signed over or removed.
How to report animal hoarding
If you've witnessed animal hoarding, please report it to us. Give as much detail as you can safely gather — what you saw, exactly where and when, descriptions of any people, animals or vehicles involved, and any photos or video. Do not put yourself at risk or confront anyone.
If an animal is in immediate danger, or a crime is in progress, call 999.