No. Grafton, Mass. – Gray Patronek’s study on animal hoarding – the term for amassing so many pets that a home becomes overrun, made news in Pittsburgh. Following three major animal hoarding cases, the Pittsburgh Post – Gazette turned to recent research by Patronek’s to help explain the growing problem.

   In a recent study, Patronek – the director of the Center for Animal and Public Policy at Tufts’ Veterinary School, described animal hoarding as “an under-recognized public health problem in a difficult to study population” and estimates that 700 to 2,000 cases of animal hoarding occur each year.

   Some of Patronek’s other findings reported in the Pittsburgh Post – Gazette include: Half of animal hoarders live alone. On average, an animal hoarding case involves 39 animals. Four cases involve over 100 animals Cats, dogs, farm animals and birds are the most frequent victims

Online: http://www.tufts.edu/communications/printable/040300ExpertExplainsAnimalHoarding