Self-neglecting pet owners, animal protection organizations, and social services agencies: The impact of the collaboration of these groups
Aki, SATO (Single work)ユニベール財団報告書(2024年3月27日提出) 2024/03 1 26
This study investigated why rampant, unchecked breeding of pet dogs and cats by unkempt, self-neglecting owners could occur, and how these problems should be solved. We intended to do this through interviews with two representatives of animal protection organizations with strong ties to municipalities, and two representatives of financially independent organizations.
The study found that these animal protection organizations view animal hoarding as the result of "economic poverty, mental disorders, social isolation and loneliness". These organizations shared their accumulated experience regarding the welfare of animals and their owners almost free of charge.
The importance of helping professionals utilizing the ecological framework to intervene in these problems was demonstrated, suggesting that these phenomena should be seen as issues of pet owners’ unbalanced ecologies, such as a lack of social resources including interpersonal relationships. Additionally, the helping professionals are required to build trusting relationships with the staff of animal protection organizations to share information regarding these clients and their pets. Moreover, the crisis-intervention model will be effective in providing a vision of the future, and nurturing secure attachments with the pet owners and the helping professionals.