Fleur the Obese Bichon

[USSally]

I have an update from the person who has her in his forever home.


I first saw the advert for Fleur on the internet and made contact with Karen via email and then by phone. The process of getting Fleur was good; I was really impressed by the way that Karen wanted to ensure that Fleur was going to a good home. Karen and I were in contact for a while before I came up to see Fleur and this really only happened once I have convinced Karen that we could offer fleur a fore ever home. When I first came to see Fleur in Oct 08 I took some photographs to show Rachael’s mum (Mandy) as she had owned a Bichon for 17 years before her Bichon (Trixie) died, and getting Fleur was a surprise for Rachael, when Mandy saw the pictures of Fleur the first thing she said was “Oh my god it’s a monster Bichon”. I don’t think Mandy had ever seen a Bichon that looked so big!

When I collected Fleur she had been washed and groomed close because Karen said she was very matted and hadnt been groomed by her previous owner for many months but to me looked absolutely beautiful (however I had never owned a Bichon and therefore was a bit unsure as to what she should look like) Fleur just seemed like a normal dog to me. My attitude soon changed after my first trip to the vets with Fleur, I was told in no uncertain terms by the vet that I had a “Fat dog” who obviously wasnt cared for by her previous owner(the Vets words, not mine). Karen had told us this but we didnt really think it was so important but It became clear that Fleur was well extremely obese and overweight and that we needed to do something about it, by now Fleur was coming every where with me, I started to walk Fleur to work with me which was not far but must have seemed like a marathon everyday to Fleur (sometimes I had to pick her up and carry her!!!) I also started to monitor what she had to eat and how much. It was really good to see her go from what I would class as a couch potato dog (at first I thought that’s all she did!!) to a healthier looking and acting dog. As Fleur started to lose weight (checked regularly by the vet) she started to run around in the fields that we were walking through, she even started to chase rabbits (never caught any though).

By the time that Fleur moved over to Germany with Rachael she had lost nearly 4.5 kilos and was looking healthier and happier, she has now been in Germany with both Rachael and I for over a year and a half and neither of us would be without her. Rachael walks her to work everyday and takes her everywhere with her, we are both lucky to be in jobs that allow us to have Fleur with us all the time. Fleurs weight has now levelled out after losing 12kg and according to the vet she is well within an acceptable range, she has lost her big belly and looks great, we are always being stopped in the street by people who just want to stroke her.

I can honestly say that getting Fleur was one of the best things Rachael and I have ever done, she has so much character and is such a loving dog, we will definitely be looking to get her a companion when we get back to UK next year.

[USSally]

What is an animal hoarder?

Animal hoarding is a complex and intricate public health and community issue. Its effects are far-reaching and encompass mental health, animal welfare and public safety concerns.
The following criteria are used to define animal hoarding:
More than the typical number of companion animals

Inability to provide even minimal standards of nutrition, sanitation, shelter and veterinary care, with this neglect often resulting in starvation, illness and death

Denial of the inability to provide this minimum care and the impact of that failure on the animals, the household and human occupants of the dwelling
This definition comes from The Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium, an independent group of academic researchers based in Massachusetts. The full definition and more info can be found at http://www.tufts.edu/vet/cfa/hoarding/index.html.
It’s important to note that not everyone who has multiple animals is an animal hoarder. A person may have a dozen animals, and all are spayed and neutered and provided with regular vet care and a sanitary environment. This person would not be an animal hoarder. The common signs of an animal hoarder are deteriorating conditions and denial or lack of insight that there is a problem. Animal hoarders often insist that all their animals are happy and healthy when there are clear signs of illness.
Why do people hoard animals?
It is not clearly understood why people become animal hoarders. Early research pointed toward a variant of obsessive-compulsive disorders but new studies and theories are leading toward attachment disorders in conjunction with personality disorders, paranoia, delusional thinking, depression and other mental illnesses. Some animal hoarders began collecting after a traumatic event or loss, while others see themselves as “rescuers” who save animals from a life on the street.
Should I report this person for animal cruelty?
What is clear is that animal hoarders also tend to neglect themselves and are often elderly and isolated from the community. The fact is that they and their animals need help, and calling your local humane law enforcement department may be a way to initiate the process.
Animal hoarders may think they have good intentions, but their irrational behaviors cause significant suffering to the large numbers of animals in their care. The “hoarder” does not intend to inflict harm on the animals, and in most cases, the “hoarder” can no longer take care of himself, much less multiple animals.
Criminal prosecution of animal hoarding can be a difficult process and may not be the most effective route without other interventions. Such cases are difficult to successfully prosecute and, once released, the “hoarder” is likely to resume collecting an excessive number of animals unless closely monitored.
In almost all animal hoarding cases, the person and the animals are suffering, either from neglect or isolation. You may not want to get the person “in trouble,” but a phone call may be the first step to get them and the animals in their possession the help they need.
But shouldn't these animals be removed?
Usually, the animals are too unsocialized or too old and sick to be considered adoptable. Because they are not good candidates for adoption, their fate usually involves humane euthanasia. However, by maintaining a relationship with the “hoarder” and providing medical care and spay/neuter services to the animals, the ASPCA ensures that the animals live out their lives with their caregiver and prevents the “hoarder” from perpetuating a situation that is ultimately detrimental to themselves and the animals.
How can the ASPCA's Mobile Clinic & Outreach Program help?
An early intervention has the best chance of a favorable outcome for the person and the animals. The animal hoarder may be unwilling to give up any of the animals or it may be appropriate for the animals to be spayed and neutered and returned to the home if the animal hoarder can provide—or can be aided in providing—care. An early intervention would involve spaying, neutering and vaccinating healthy animals and returning them to a cleaned and decluttered home. Please contact Allison Cardona at allisonc@aspca.org to get more information on our mobile clinic services (in New York City).
If the client can no longer keep the animals because of illness or eviction, the ASPCA must first visit the home to assess the adoptability of the animals. After this initial visit, a follow-up visit with the mobile spay/neuter clinic can be arranged so that the animals are spayed/neutered, tested and vaccinated before entering the shelter. This entire process usually takes up to six weeks. Please note: if the client is facing immediate eviction and needs to remove the animals in a short period of time, please contact NYC’s Animal Care and Control by calling 311 or the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals at info@animalalliancenyc.org.
Contact allisonc@aspca.org to schedule an intake assessment.
If the client is unwilling to receive assistance from the ASPCA and if there are signs of neglect and cruelty, the ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement team can be called in to ensure compliance.
How can I help?
Animal hoarding is not just about the animals! Usually, the animal hoarder is neglecting his or her own mental and physical needs and may need assistance for themselves. Animal hoarders range in age, and can be men or women of any race or ethnic group. Elderly people tend to be more at risk due to their own deteriorating health and isolation from community and social groups.
Contact other social service groups and ask them to get involved! Department of the Aging, adult protective services, health departments and other mental health agencies may be able to provide services or links to services. It’s important to get the animal hoarder connected to other people and services.

Reassure the animal hoarder that it’s okay to accept help. Animal hoarders are usually worried that these animals will not be returned to them, but assure them that the ASPCA Mobile Clinic is parked outside their home for the entire length of the visit and that the animals will be returned after medical treatment and surgery.

Help the hoarder prepare the animals for the mobile clinic visit. On the night before, remove all food and water so that the animals do not eat befores surgery. Gather cardboard or plastic carriers to contain the cats and enough leashes for dogs. Find a room that can be cleaned and is well-ventilated so that the animals can recover there after surgery. On the morning of the mobile clinic visit, put the cats in individual carriers and leash all dogs in order to deliver them to the mobile clinic, which is usually parked in front of the hoarder’s home. In the afternoon after surgery, help the hoarder remove the animals from the clinic and return them to their recovery area.

Stay in touch with the hoarder to ensure that the animals are recovering from surgery. Help the hoarder with medical treatment of sick animals. If the hoarder acquires new animals, ensure that they are brought to the mobile clinic to be spayed/neutered and vaccinated.http://www.aspca.org/aspca-nyc/anima...-hoarding.html