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Compulsive Hoarding

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Dr. David Tolin is the director of the Anxiety Disorders Center at The Institute of Living at Hartford Hospital. Dr. Tolin says that although Kathryn is a typical animal hoarder, he points out she still has fewer pets than many other animal hoarders do. Also, he sees hope because the cats appear to be in somewhat good health, which is also a little different from a lot of animal hoarders. All of her cats have been spayed, neutered and tested for feline leukemia, and are legally adoptable.

Dr. Tolin: Kathryn's got…people around her who want to help. But at the same time, you've got to look at what it is that you're doing. You're pushing those people away and drawing yourself into that cat world which is only going to get worse…I hope that you are at the point where you're recognizing that the cats have got to go.

Oprah: Look at what you're doing to your daughter.

Kathryn: That's the killer. Definitely. I have come to the realization that this has to happen, as painful as it might be.

And because Kathryn's local animal shelter can only place a limited number of animals up for adoption, we've arranged for the Oregon Humane Society (www.oregonhumane.org) to take in all of her cats! They are a no-kill shelter and will find all the cats good homes.

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