# Development of an Operational Protocol for Animal Hoarding: A Conceptual Proposal Based on Multidisciplinary Field Experience

## TL;DR

This paper proposes a multidisciplinary protocol to assess and manage animal hoarding, emphasizing collaboration across veterinary, psychological, and social domains.

## Contribution

A novel operational protocol integrating three tools for assessing and managing animal hoarding cases is proposed.

## Key findings

- The protocol includes a preliminary observational form, a clinical-relational interview, and a veterinary health form.
- The framework promotes a One Welfare approach, linking animal welfare, human psychological distress, and environmental health.
- The protocol is designed to be modular, replicable, and shareable among multidisciplinary professionals.

## Abstract

Animal hoarding is a complex and often under-recognized form of neglect, characterized by the accumulation of a large number of animals without ensuring adequate care, hygiene, or living conditions. This study underscores the need for a structured and multidisciplinary approach that integrates veterinary, psychological, and social perspectives. Drawing on field experience and literature review, we propose an operational framework for the assessment and management of animal hoarding cases, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and coordinated professional collaboration to protect both human and animal welfare.

Animal hoarding is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon that poses serious risks to animal welfare, public health, and environmental balance. Despite increasing attention, current interventions often remain fragmented and lack integration across medical, psychological, and social domains. Based on a critical review of existing tools and field experience in the Italian context, this study proposes a structured operational protocol to support multidisciplinary teams in the assessment and management of animal hoarding cases. The protocol integrates three complementary tools: a preliminary observational form, a clinical-relational interview, and a veterinary health form. Designed to be modular, replicable, and shareable among professionals from diverse backgrounds, the protocol aims to promote a One Welfare approach, recognizing the systemic interconnection between animal suffering, human psychological distress, and environmental degradation. While further experimental validation is required, this conceptual model provides a concrete operational basis for structured interventions and consistent data collection in support of research and public health.