Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Animal Hoarding Workshop

FLORENCE, AZ – Pinal County Animal Care & Control, as a member of the Central Arizona Animal Cruelty Task Force, is partnering to provide a workshop on animal hoarding.

The workshop will be October 30 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Holiday Inn at 777 North Pinal Avenue in Casa Grande.

“Animal hoarding is a national problem and we’ve certainly seen cases here in Pinal County,” said Ruth Stalter, Director of Pinal County Animal Care & Control. “One of the worst cases ever was the Apache Junction couple who were attempting to care for 185 animals. We assisted Apache Junction Animal Control in that rescue effort and eventually found homes for all but the sickest animals.”

Hoarding often begins with good intentions, Stalter explained. “Then at some point, this 'I-have-to-save-them-all' mentality kicks in. That’s where the trouble begins.”

Stalter also said that many hoarding situations have a mental health component to them, one reason the October event will feature a presentation by Dr. Philinda Hutchings. Hutchings is Program Director and professor of Clinical Psychology at Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona..."
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