Cat Hoarder Pleads Guilty

I am saddened to read of yet another massive tragedy concerning cats and a person who originally undoubtedly had nothing but good intentions in mind. It is fairly obvious that there is some sort of disturbance at work; but the underlying problem remains our collective responsibility and concern -- namely, that of the MILLIONS of loving, sweet, deserving cats and kittens who forfeit their lives annually in this nation alone simply because there are not enough loving, responsible life homes for them. The answers? SPAYING AND NEUTERING. When will everyone "get" this? And help exists nationwide for low income cat caregivers! Mobile vet clinics are nationwide, as well -- there is simply no excuse for not doing the responsible, humane thing and SPAYING/NEUTERING ALL DOMESTIC CATS. PERIOD.
Also, a cat or kitten is NOT a "thing". A cat or kitten is a sentient living being, a mammal, like ourselves, with a sensitive nature and wants and needs which need to be paid attention to, respected, and met. Anyone who is not prepared to make a lifetime commitment to what should be regarded as the adoption of a beloved member of the family, should never even think about bringing a cat or kitten into his or her life. Also, humane education should be universal, and should begin in the home, or at least in the earliest grades of school, and continue throughout life. There should be zero tolerance for any kind of cruelty, abuse, neglect, abandonment, apathy, or callousness toward cats or kittens, and we should ALL step up to the plate in defense of the defenseless. And -- until there are none (cats without loving, forever homes) ADOPT ONE. Or more than one. These steps WILL bring about the day when hoarders do not exist, because there will be no need for any single household to adopt more than they can responsibly care for in the first place. "Collecting" has its roots in sorrow and outrage -- sorrow at the overpopulation crisis and resulting millions of senseless deaths, and outrage that too few people shoulder far too much responsibility, while too many take none at all. YOU AND I are the answer to this problem. Will you help?

This woman is obviously suffering from mental illness. I agree that she should be required to undergo psychiatric treatment.