HOW YOU CAN HELP
Not everyone who has multiple animals is an animal hoarder. However, if you think someone you know is struggling with animal hoarding, here are some ways you can help according to the ASPCA:
- Call your local humane law enforcement department, police department, animal welfare organization or veterinarian to initiate the process. A phone call may be the first step to getting hoarders and the animals the help they need.
- Contact social service groups. Your local department of the aging, adult protective services, health departments and other mental health agencies may be able to provide services or links to services.
- Reassure the animal hoarder that it's okay to accept help. Animal hoarders are usually worried that their animals will be killed or that they will never see them again. Regardless of the outcome, assure them that the animals need urgent care and that immediate action is necessary.
- Volunteer your time. With the removal of so many animals from a hoarding situation, the burden on local shelters can be staggering. Volunteer your time to help clean cages, socialize animals, walk dogs and perform other such necessary duties.
- Keep in touch. It may be appropriate for animals to be spayed and neutered and returned to their home if an animal hoarder can provide—or can be aided in providing—care. Under the guidance of an organization, help the individual with daily animal care chores. And if the individual acquires new animals, help ensure that they are spayed/neutered and vaccinated.
hoarder home remediation in Polk County Florida
We specialize in the cleaning and organizing of moderate clutter to severe hoarding situations in Polk County and the Bartow, FL area. For years we have been providing expert service and support to countless individuals and families that find themselves looking for a fresh start. Hazmat Cleanup offers a variety of hoarding clean up options, ranging from a complete clean out to organizing and sorting through valuables and sentimental items. Hoarding restoration is a specialized service which requires a certain expertise along with a caring and compassionate staff. We pride ourselves on these qualities and strive to achieve successful results.
Help For Hoarders
SIGNS THAT MAY INDICATE SOMEONE IS AN ANIMAL HOARDER ACCORDING TO THE ASPCA:
Hazmat Cleanup's Hoarding Cleanup Team understands that household hoarding can be a very delicate and sensitive situation for the homeowner. We know that many of the contents in the home are of great value to our clients and that they have become very attached. That’s the difference between Hazmat Cleanup LLC, and a junk removal company. We’re very patient, understanding, and judge free while helping to sort, clean, and dispose of unwanted items.
After the initial cleaning, Hazmat Cleanup can be hired to periodically visit the hoarder home to do a ‘maintenance’ cleaning, sorting, and trash disposal in order to keep the problem from getting out of control again and to consistently keep the home a safe and functional environment to live in. We’ve included some helpful links for hoarders and families of hoarding. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions about our hoarding cleanup services or hoarding maintenance services in the Polk County area.
ANIMAL HOARDING AWARENESS
Good intent gone awry is a great way to describe the conditions
when things get out of control with your pets. According to Wikipedia: Animal hoarding is keeping a higher-than-usual number of animals as domestic pets without ability to properly house or care for them, while at the same time denying this inability. Compulsive hoarding can be characterized as a symptom of mental disorder rather than deliberate cruelty towards animals.
We'd like to raise some awareness about hoarding and some things to look out for in family and friends who might be suffering from hoarding tendencies. We also want people to know that there is help available and that you're not alone. Hazmat Cleanup has been helping hoarders in Polk County for years with minor clutter and sorting, to the worst imaginable scenario. You may also find the links below to be helpful and informative about the psychology of hoarders and why they do it.
According to Mayo Clinic, some of the signs and symptoms associated with a hoarding disorder include:
- Cluttered living spaces
- Inability to discard items
- Keeping stacks of newspapers, magazines, or junk mail
- Moving items from one pile to another without discarding anything
- Acquiring unneeded or seemingly useless items, including trash
- Difficulty managing daily activities, procrastinating and trouble making decisions
- Difficulty organizing items
- Perfectionism
- Excessive attachment to possessions and discomfort letting others touch or borrow possessions
- Limited or no social interactions
Commonalities among hoarder personalities according to Mayo Clinic:
- Age: While severe hoarding is most common in middle-aged adults around the age of 50, their hoarding tendencies began around ages 11 to 15. During these early teenage years, they typically saved broken toys, outdated school papers, and pencil nubs.
- Personality: Oftentimes hoarders struggle with severe indecisiveness and anxiety.
- Genetics: Although hoarding is not an entirely genetic disorder, there is some genetic predisposition involved in the disorder.
- Trauma: Many hoarders experienced a stressful or traumatic event that propels them to hoard has a coping mechanism.
- Social Isolation: Hoarders are often socially withdrawn and isolated, causing them to hoard as a way to find comfort.
We understand that in some hoarding conditions there will be items of importance and worth that should be saved. With our caring and patient technicians, and plenty of attention to detail, we can confidently guarantee that all items and personal effects in the home will be handled according to your wishes. During the cleaning process, we can package, transport and even store items while in the process of removing unwanted items. These are a few examples of why Hazmat Cleanup is a step above and beyond our competitors.
Just one call to Hazmat Cleanup and we can arrange for one of our technicians to assess your home at absolutely no cost to you. Every hoarding situation is unique and requires more attention in certain aspects. We will put everything in writing so that you can rest assured there won't be any unexpected fees or surprises.
Hoarding house assistance in Polk County, FL
Here at Hazmat Cleanup We urge you to not be ashamed or embarrassed to reach out to us for help. You are not alone and cleaning up hoarder homes is what we do. There is no limit to the lengths we will go to provide you with a specific, customized plan that you are comfortable with.
Our hoarding clean up help is not a junk disposal service. Our hoarding cleanup staff will help you sort through all of your items and make sure that you recover everything of value such as sentimental items, documents, mail and pictures. Below is a list of our hoarder home remediation services:
- Hoarding and clutter cleanup
- Sorting of contents and personal effects
- Safe placement of valuable and sentimental items
- Recovery of important paperwork and documents
- Clean up and disposal of animal and/or human waste
- Delivery of storage containers
- Assistance with packing and placement
- Photo and video documentation
- Specific itemized inventory
- Deep cleaning and disinfecting
- Home repairs (Paint, drywall, carpet, etc.)
We are here in your time of need to restore any hoarder home as quickly and efficiently as possible. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and speak to one of our compassionate representatives about how we can help you with your cleanup needs in Polk County (Bartow, FL).
help for hoarders in Polk County
Below are some helpful resources for hoarding disorders. Thank you for reading! Best wishes.
- They have numerous animals and may not know the total number of animals in their care.
- Their home is deteriorated (i.e., dirty windows, broken furniture, holes in wall and floor, extreme clutter).
- There is a strong smell of ammonia, and floors may be covered with dried feces, urine, vomit, etc.
- Animals are emaciated, lethargic and not well socialized.
- Fleas and vermin are present.
- Individual is isolated from community and appears to be in neglect himself.
- Individual insists all animals are happy and healthy—even when there are clear signs of distress and illness.
LIVING WITH ANIMAL FECES
There are many proven health risks associated with living in animal feces. Cats, dogs, rodents and cockroach feces can be very damaging to your lungs. Not only is having too many pets harmful for owner and animals but too much of anything is harmful. Having too much stuff in your home can lead to unwanted guests. If you or someone you know needs help in Polk County with these living conditions please contact us. Here are some helpful links: