ROANOKE (WSLS10) - Saving animals from deplorable living conditions is no easy job for the fair hearted. Unfortunately, local animal rescue center, Angels of Assisi, told us it's dealing with more hoarding cases in the first two months of this year compared to the same timeline in 2015.
In fact, Monday Angels of Assisi staff pulled what was believed to be 50 cats, which now totals near 90, from a Bedford County home. It's also happening in Alleghany and Floyd Counties and the list is growing.
Recommended Videos
So far this year, Angels of Assisi workers have dealt with seven different hoarding situations across the state and one in North Carolina.
"A lot of times it starts with really good intentions; they just wanted to help the animals, they take them in and then get in over their head," said the center's Director of Adoptions Matthew Brown. "Then it turns into the mindset that nobody else can take care of them better than they can."
At this rate, the center says it could potentially see more than double the number of hoarding cases this year compared to 2015. That's because the center is now working closer than ever with law enforcement.
Animal Control Officer Eric Hubble said a case is labeled as hoarding when owners have a large number of animals and are not aware they're not taking care of them, and the health of the animal and owner is being affected.
"If the animals are not in good body condition, not being cared for, not meeting the veterinary requirements set up by the state, then they can be looking at some pretty serious cruelty charges and can possibly be up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine," said Roanoke County Animal Control Officer Eric Hubble.
Both city and county codes follow state law which is the minimum standard of care an animal should receive. The requirement is providing an animal with adequate shelter, food, water, and emergency veterinary care when needed.
"The Virginia care standard and state code is if a human being wouldn't drink that water, your animal shouldn't be drinking that water," said Amy Taylor, a member of the Virginia Animal Fighting task Force. "It's the same with shelter, food and care."
Veterinarians at Angels of Assisi said it's most common in hoarding cases to find animals with skin infections, flees, ear mites, and intestinal parasites.