Ep 4. Zoo in My Basement

Confessions: Animal Hoarding is a reality show that documents the lives of those who are struggling with animal hoarding. In season 3 episode 4, titled "Zoo in My Basement", viewers are introduced to a woman named Leah who has been hoarding animals for many years.

Leah lives in a small, cluttered apartment with over 100 animals, including cats, dogs, birds, and even exotic animals like snakes and lizards. Her apartment is filled with cages, food bowls, and litter boxes, making it nearly impossible for anyone to walk through.

As the episode begins, viewers see Leah struggling to care for her animals. She is visibly overwhelmed, tears streaming down her face as she tries to feed her pets and clean their cages. She admits that she has been struggling with animal hoarding for many years, but has been too embarrassed to seek help.

The animal control team arrives at Leah's apartment to assess the situation. They describe the living conditions as "horrendous" and immediately begin removing the animals from the apartment. Volunteers from local shelters are called in to help care for the animals and find them new homes.

As the animals are removed from Leah's apartment, she becomes increasingly emotional. She sobs as she watches her beloved pets being taken away from her. She confesses that she knew she had too many animals, but couldn't bear to part with any of them.

Throughout the episode, viewers learn more about the reasons behind Leah's animal hoarding. She reveals that she has suffered from depression and anxiety for many years, and that caring for her pets gave her a sense of purpose and fulfillment. However, as her hoarding became more severe, she found herself unable to provide proper care for her animals.

The animal control team works tirelessly to remove all of the animals from Leah's apartment, but they discover a shocking surprise in her basement. As they descend the stairs, they find themselves in what can only be described as a makeshift zoo. There are monkeys, birds, and other exotic animals living in cages that are far too small for them.

The animal control team is horrified by what they find in Leah's basement. They call in a team of experts to help remove the exotic animals and transport them to a proper wildlife reserve.

As the episode comes to a close, viewers see Leah's apartment completely empty, the cages and litter boxes removed. She is left alone, surrounded only by the memories of her beloved pets. The episode ends with a message encouraging anyone who struggles with animal hoarding to seek help before it's too late.

Overall, "Zoo in My Basement" is a heart-wrenching episode that sheds light on the devastating effects of animal hoarding. Leah's story serves as a cautionary tale, reminding viewers that even the most well-meaning animal lovers can fall victim to this dangerous condition.