Banjo, I don't feel comfortable about calling the police on my niece and her family's situation but I had a long talk with her (via Skype) and of course, I was so concern about her, etc. She said she understands that I said what I did out of love and concern, but there are several things that I am incorrect about. She said her 21 cats get upset and act badly when they left alone, they always vomit and poop. (Hello? I work all day or going out for the day, Maxwell, my cat is doing fine, he doesn't vomit or poop in my house.Huh?) My niece said her cats see veterinarians for check ups and vaccinations. It is the vet's job to tell her when they are sick. (Really? Some of her cats are really sick. It is hard for me to describe about them but I mean they look awful.) She said she and her spouse have found many cats loving homes over the years. They do not take any more cats. But most of the ones they will have to stay with her and her spouse because people rarely adopt cats that are not kittens. Even cats that are 3 years old are very difficult to find homes for. My niece and her spouse have had five or six veterinarians visit their homes in Salt Lake City, Georgia and Kentucky. They all said what a great job my niece and her spouse did taking care of so many cats. They said it was clean and sanitary and the cats seemed happy and loved. Her spouse spends a lot of time grooming and petting the cats. Of course, they don't like it when my niece and her spouse are there and they don't get attention. Also, the professional pet sitters who have taken care of the cats before said the cats were well cared for. They said they they saw many homes with just one or two animals that were not taken care of as well as their cats. The children are not near any unsanitary conditions because some of the cats because my niece used carpet cleaner to clean the poop stains that some of the cats made. My niece also said it is her business how to deal with her landlord. She has a plan in place for everything. She did not want to rent a house but she did not have any choice. All the cats she and her spouses rescued would be dead if they didn't take them and no one wants them because they are not kittens. So, they are going to take care of the cats. It is not illegal if it is sanitary and they receive vet care and clean food and water every day. (Yeah, right, they keeps 6 cats in the house and 15 cats in the basement. That's illegal.)
Now, the question is : Are my niece and her spouse hoarders? My sister's husband said yes, they are. Is he right? Also, what's your thoughts about my niece's statements?