JCH-NACA Animal Control Officer Practice Test

What criteria must be met for someone to be classified as an animal hoarder?

1. Having a minimum of ten animals

2. Having an excessive number of animals

3. Only owning exotic animals

4. Keeping multiple animal species together

The correct answer is: Having an excessive number of animals

The classification of someone as an animal hoarder is primarily based on the condition of having an excessive number of animals in their possession. This definition emphasizes the quantity and the impact of that quantity on the individual’s living conditions and the welfare of the animals. In animal hoarding situations, the live animals may often be neglected, leading to unsuitable or unhealthy living conditions. Hoarding behavior typically leads to a significant deterioration in the health of both the animals involved and the environment in which they are kept. The focus on an "excessive number" allows for a broader understanding of the phenomenon, recognizing that hoarding is about the inability to care for the animals rather than simply about numerical thresholds. While other options mention specific scenarios, such as the number of animals or the kind of species involved, they do not encapsulate the core of hoarding behavior, which is the excessive accumulation that surpasses the individual’s ability to provide appropriate care. The presence of a certain number or specific types of animals does not, by themselves, determine hoarding behavior; rather, it is the excessive nature of the ownership and the resulting conditions that signify a hoarder.