TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - A new task force will focus on decreasing cases of animal hoarding across Pima County.
The Pima Animal Care Center and other community organizations will meet Tuesday to discuss how to help overwhelmed pet owners before they get to the point of hoarding.
Center officials say animal hoarding is not necessarily the number of pets in a home but whether or not the owner can actually support them, the Arizona Daily Star reports.
Kristen Hassen, animal services director, said the task force wants to change how hoarding cases are handled.
The task force will work with pet owners and connect them with community resources. Two part-time public health nurses will now be available to talk with owners, Hassen said. In addition, owners will get assistance with spaying, neutering and pet vaccination services.
In 2019, the Pima County animal shelter took in almost 19,000 animals - many from hoarding situations and with medical conditions. Having animals with medical problems in the shelter system can be a tremendous burden on taxpayers, Hassen said.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.