The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) recently collaborated with veteran WBZ investigative reporter Cheryl Fiandaca to shed light on an issue that unfortunately is on the rise – animal hoarding.

In 2018, ARL was involved in 16 major hoarding incidents which involved 1,024 animals. This number is more than triple from what ARL saw the previous year, and this is an issue that impacts communities throughout Massachusetts.

Animal hoarding is a serious, yet under-recognized community problem in Massachusetts that is responsible for substantial animal suffering. Often associated with adult self-neglect and/or mental illness, animal hoarding can also place children, the elderly, dependent adults, property, and public health at risk. The situations that ARL encounters are becoming more frequent and increasingly complex.

To watch the complete WBZ story click here!