What would you do? everyones input please!

by restrangled 23 Replies latest jw friends

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  frozen one

  Sounds like you are living next to a hoarder or "pack rat." You mentioned all the clutter and bags of stuff in a room. I've known a few and have been in their homes. Yikes! I've asked what they are doing holding on to the stuff and a typical answer is, "It might come in handy." If your neighbors are pack rats they might be really offended that you tried to clean up their house. If the pets are fed, watered, and healthy (vet checked, tags are up to date, etc), PCA won't be able to do much. Maybe there is a local ordinance regarding the number of pets that are allowable in a household. Its a tough situation. Here's a link that discusses pack rat behaivior:

  http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1175/is_n2_v22/ai_6306685

  Other posters have given you some pretty good suggestions. Good luck.
• 

  TopHat

  You are a good neighbor restrangled.

  I have to say Good Nite and get my dogs inside the house....I have three and one is a barker...He is out there barking at the dark or the moon or a cayote on the other side of the fence.
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  Purza

  I am not sure where you are located, but if you are in the US, do you have a local humane society or city or county animal shelter? Definitely contact one of those and at least talk to them about the situation -- you don't have to give them any details. If you are not comfortable with the advice you get, then you don't have to do anything. It was good of you to clean up a bit, but when she returns it will go back to what it was. It does sound like a sickness. And for the animals sake, it would be worth a phone call.

  Purza
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  kitten whiskers

  Hi Restrangled. I don't know what to tell you. My grandmother is a pack rat. She has a small house and has always had at least one dog. There is barely a pathway to walk through she has so much junk!!! She cannot walk in to a room without having to twist your body to conform to the small spaces to walk. She has even injured herself falling over it. Before my grandpa died, she had to move a bunch of stuff so they could walk down a four foot long hallway to get to him. But this is her. When she had a bird, a pigeon she nursed back to health, it flew all over the place and pooped on everything. Including our hair. GROSS GROSS GROSS Her home is her business. Most family will not visit her because of it. There is seating, but always covered with junk, so it is hard to visit her with 2 or more people at a time. Maybe your friend lets her bird out to fly freely when she is at home. Her home is her haven, even if you are repulsed. My grandma loves her animals. She will alter her life to care for them. Left my sisters wedding reception early to get home to take care of the dogs. But I loved going there as a child. And she has a way with animals. Your neighbor must too if they are all healthy. I understand your recoiling at her home. If I had never seen my grandma's growing up, I couldn't believe people live like that. To each his own. All I know is my parents dread the day they will have to clean it up when she is gone. But she is happy. Her animals are her social life. Hope this helps. Kitten Whiskers
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  evita

  We own a small house which we rent out. Our most recent tenants ( a couple with 2 teenaged sons) stopped paying rent so we were forced to evict them. They had been there for one year and we agonized over evicting them. When we walked into the house, all sympathy was gone. You have never seen such a disgusting mess! They had a parrot which crapped over every inch of the wall-to-wall carpeting. It chewed up the corners of the walls and the mantel. The boys had makeshift rooms out in the garage (we didn't know this) which were absolutely filthy, with food and junk all over and graffiti on the walls. We are astounded as to how people let their lives fall apart like this. I am not the best housekeeper in the world and it's a challenge to get everyone to pitch in to keep our living environment clean and peaceful. But we keep working at it. It's so depressing when we go over to the rental to clean and it will take us a long time to recoup our losses on this one. Everyone has different standards in the cleanliness department but you can tell when folks just give up. It's not healthy.
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  juni

  We live in a house that size and have 1 small dog. I can't imagine having that many animals in such a small space.

  You said that she does take care of the animals? Food, fresh water, exercise, keeping poop picked up, toys or bones?

  The parrot does need to be out in the light. Maybe she thought it would be less stressful on the bird while she was gone to have it in a quiet place? Just playing the Devil's advocate here. How well does she take care of it? Fresh water and proper food for the kind of parrot it is?

  I agree with a lot of the others. At least talk with her. Some people can't resist taking in animals w/o realizing that perhaps another home would be better. She's a vet tech so probably comes in contact w/quite a few animals that need homes. No excuse for messy kitchen, but some people live like this even w/o animals. The animals won't care about a messy house! As long as there is no poop laying around (which is a health issue) and their needs are met.

  Juni
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  parakeet

  Please, please, please, call the animal control authorities in your area now! Those animals are living in crowded, filthy conditions, a situation that should not be allowed to continue a moment longer than necessary.
  
  Some people, even with the best of intentions, collect animals beyond the point they are able to take adequate care of them. It's not good situation for the humans, and it's cruel for the animals.
  
  Please don't hesitate to call the authorities. The animal control people will assess the problem and try to work with the owners for the good of all concerned. Please don't wait to do this.
  
  parakeet, of the animals-deserve-a-decent-life-too class
• 

  jaguarbass

  Jagurbass, unless you know about animals, this is no situation for them, especially a parrot,... which I have had in my life. They love, sunlight, air, and being out of a cage. I cannot believe your response. apparently you have never had a pet. I do not need medication because of this situtation. MAYBE YOU DO!

  Restrangled Im sorry I rattled your cage, I have 4 cocker spaniels and God bless you and anyone who looks out for the welfare of animals. Its just a tough situation that you described. You said the animals were healthy. My sister and law worked for the aspca here in Florida and after a certain amount of time if the animals arent adopted they get put down. And my sister said they put down a lot here. That was my concern, that when you intervened the animals end up in a shelter and get put down. I hope it works out for you and them.
• 

  Finally-Free

  a parrot sitting in a dusty cage in the dark.

  I'm concerned about the parrot. What kind is it? These birds can produce a lot of dust, some more than others, so the dust doesn't surprise me. I have to dust everything in my livingroom at least twice a week, and clean the cage every day. That's the only way to keep on top of it, and it has to be done for the sake of everyone's health - human and animal. (My carpet is a never ending project, and Rocco doesn't even crap on it - he's very good that way. He just leaves slivers of chewed wood everywhere) I suspect the bird was in the dark in an effort to keep it quiet, and I call this cruel. Parrots are loud; a Moluccan cockatoo can scream at 135 DB. That's their nature, and it's cruel to punish a bird for being a bird. Some screaming, while displaying, is normal. Excessive screaming could indicate a health issue, neglect, or even abuse. Parrots also need a lot of time outside of their cages. They are very intelligent and very emotional, and require a lot of social interaction. Too many people view them as a pet you stuff in a cage and look at, and maybe teach them to talk. In reality, a parrot must be a loved member of the family; otherwise you have a bird that gets depressed, plucks itself bald, and self mutilates.

  There's a great web site and discussion board, primarily about cockatoos but about other parrots too at these links. The people there are very rescue conscious, and may have some ideas for you.

  http://www.mytoos.com/
  http://www.mytoos.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

  W
• 

  Mysterious

  Yes it is your right to live how you want. It is NOT however your right to make minor children or animals live that way when they have no choice.