A Retrospective, Descriptive Study Of Medical Conditions and Outcomes of Cats Relinquished to an Urban, Limited Admission Shelter from Hoarding Environments

Abstract

Introduction: Animal hoarding is a complex, often underrecognized public health problem affecting the health and welfare of humans and animals. Limited peer review literature exists on the conditions, outcomes, and resources needed to care for cats from hoarding environments in shelter settings. This study investigated intake medical conditions and outcomes of cats surrendered from hoarding environments to the New York City sheltering programs of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the prevalence of medical conditions at intake; (2) identify associations between medical conditions and outcomes; (3) summarize key interventions provided prior to outcome; and (4) compare outcomes of cats surrendered from hoarding environments to other owner/guardian surrendered (OGS) cats.

Methods: This retrospective, descriptive study examined case records of cats voluntarily surrendered from hoarding cases to ASPCA sheltering programs between January 1, 2021, and July 31, 2023. Demographic, medical, and outcome data were collected on 613 cats relinquished in 34 case groups. Outcome data were compared to 775 non-hoarded OGS cats in-shelter during the same time period.

Results: Only 27.4% of cats were already altered on intake. Dental disease was the most common medical condition (52.8%); 20.3% had moderate to severe disease requiring dentistry procedures. On intake, cats also had otitis externa (33.3%), Upper respiratory infection (URI) (23.8%), ocular disease (21.9%), dermatitis (19.9%), ectoparasites (17.6%), diarrhea (14.2%), dermatophytosis (10.1%), and matting/unkempt fur (4.1%). Once analyzed for interactions, body condition score (BCS) 1–2 (emaciation) at intake (P < 0.001), moderate to severe dental disease (P = 0.007), and increased number of medical conditions per cat (P < 0.001) were associated with non-live outcomes. Over half of cats (57.8%) went to foster homes. Most (63.1%) required antibiotics, and a third (36.4%) received psychopharmaceuticals. Difference in median length of stay (LOS) between hoarded and non-hoarded OGS cats was significant (52 days vs. 28 days; P < 0.001). Proportions of live outcomes for hoarded (89.2%) and non-hoarded cats (88.3%) did not significantly differ (P = 0.6). When euthanasia was the outcome, OGS cats were more often euthanized for medical conditions (64.8%) compared to hoarded cats (45.9%). Behavioral euthanasia rates were significantly higher for hoarded than OGS cats (47.5% vs. 25%; P = 0.017).

Conclusion: The significant need in hoarded cat populations for dentistry and spay/neuter procedures and the significantly longer LOS of hoarded cats suggests organizations working with these populations need to proactively strategize to optimize care delivery without negatively impacting shelter capacity for care. Harm reduction approaches to hoarding employ a collaborative, staged means to reduce populations in the home, including offering surrender of some animals and the provision of spay/neuter and/or other services for remaining animals. This approach, in addition to improving animal welfare, enables the shelter to better manage capacity and resources.