A friend has developed a problem. She "collects" real dogs.?
The problem is ruining her life and getting her big expensive $200 plus tickets for noise, and now into Court with neighbors who have grown tired of the daily barking.
It is ruining her life and her relationship with her elderly parents who are in their 80's and live in another state--, as well as with everyone else.
Even her parents don't want her to visit due to the dogs, which she refuses to leave at home.
Previous to this, 5 or 6 years ago, she collected 22 before the SPCA stepped in and removed 16.
I called every mental health organization in the phone book.
Nobody has a clue who or what to advise. The SPCA says she is a "dog-a-holic" but has no suggestions either.
Otherwise she is friendly, has not missed church in years, does not drink, smoke, do drugs, or get into trouble, and stays in excellent shape.
Any REAL suggestions? (no smart a-- answers please).
Answer:
Maybe sitting down and leveling with her. Explain to her that you realize she loves dog, but that she is actually doing more harm to the animals than good. That amount of dogs living together can't be healthy for them or her. Maybe if you take the route that it's better for the animals she will be more likely to understand. You could also explain the strain that this is placing and family and friends too. Good luck to you and your friend.
You need to find someone at the SPCA that you can get to constantly go over and remove the dogs. The only way she will stop is if she can't have them.
Hmm..You got me. I really don't know what to do. Have you personally tried talking to her? You need to just tell her that she has a real problem. Good luck.
Id suggest to her to go and see a Therapist. She obviously has a OCD problem and needs to be addressed.
I am aware of what you are talking about...
Luckily maybe when she goes to court.the court will order her only have one dog.
Most cities have ordinances on how many animals any homeowner is allowed to have. Although the SPCA can get involved if abuse is determined or neglect, you need to get the city involved to enforce their ordinances. I'm not sure which department you need to call, but try the SPCA and just ask them for the city ordinance number or contact a main city department and ask them for help. Whether the dogs are being taken care of or not, it is illegal to have more than the allowed number of dogs on a property unless you are zoned for it, like in farmland. You may also want to check out the Homeowners Association if she has one and try to get them involved as well.
It sounds like an intervention may be in order. You need to get all of the people who care about together, sit her down, and have a discussion about this problem. Hopefully she will actually hear what you are saying. If that has no effect though then you need to report her to animal welfare organizations and hopefully get them to agree to constantly take the dogs. This may require a court ordered ban on her owning dogs in order to see any kind of significant reduction in her habit though.
The approach you should use is on how these living conditions are effecting the animals. She obviously loves animals and in her mind she'd doing what's best due to this love. She will prob be very defensive, but be firm yet loving. Let her know that these animals are merely existing, not living the lives they should, as a single dog being loved by a family that has the time and means to spend quality time with them. There's no way in h*ll you can give quality time and attention to 22 dogs. Besides cleaning up poop, feeding and watering and letting them out, how much attention can she really give these animals?
She's not a bad person, and in her mind she thinks she's doing what's best. Talk with her, help her find homes for the dogs she has before the SPCA steps in and seizes them and they get put to sleep.
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