Hi Erica :)

Because it involves innocent animals who can not speak for themselves I would contact your local SPCA.
All the animals plus your mother must be severely suffering in those conditions you have described.
It sounds that your mother can't manage a way to fix her situation on her own so at this dire stage, she really needs outside intervention.
So very, very sorry it has come to this but we MUST consider the suffering of the animals above everything else.

Best wishes
Sincerely, Tillie

I'm new to the group and desperate. My mom has been a hoarder for at least30 years. Long story but her hoarding as caused us so many fights that we've gone several years at a time without speaking. I live about 300 miles from her and no one has been allowed in the home for over 20 years. She hoards animals, thrift store purchases, books, material, paper I mean you name it.....She has sewer blockage so flushing a toilet would back sewage into the basement. Therefore she hasn't really run water in over 5 yrs. Pipes leaking and urine, waste has rotted several areas of the floor. There is no longer any electricity to the home. The main panel is fried and from everyone I spoken to the house is probably going to be condemned if the authorities ever see this place.
She will freeze to death if she tries to stay a winter there. She's working on trying to get rid of about 50 Chinchillas and 25 Rabbits. She's is a retired widow and has very limited income. She won't let me or my sister see the house or help her try to clean it out. I don't know what to do. I get so frustrated I have thought about calling the authorities myself, but I fear it's so bad she will be on the news and possibly face animal cruelty charges. I'm so frustrated and worried I don't know where to begin. Advice??