For The Birds, A Poignant Documentary About Animal Hoarding

by Jennie Richards · Published August 9, 2019 · Updated October 8, 2020

The documentary For The Birds is a poignant story about love, loss, marriage, disappointment, acceptance, animal welfare, renewal, and ultimately, transformation. In the film, we follow a woman named Kathy who loves animals—especially birds. Kathy and her husband had the usual dogs and cats, but life changed when she rescued a ducking that she found in her yard and decided to raise it as a pet. Feeling so much love for her pet duck, Kathy decided to mail order for more baby ducklings, then added some geese, chickens and two pet turkeys down the road. Suddenly their life was overrun with birds—200 pet chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys.

The film raises serious questions about the well-being and welfare of having too many animals that one person cannot properly care for; the impact of having so many animals on one’s health, mental health, and well-being; the stress and pressure that comes from a life that pivots completely around caring for animals 24/7; and the responsibility to a partner and a marriage that is buckling under the impact and consequences of having so many animals in the home.

It’s obvious Kathy loves her pet ducks, chickens, geese and two turkeys, but the film reveals just how quickly animal “hoarding” can happen and how it can become an obsession to the detriment of the hoarder, their family members, their friends, the animal community that must absorb rescue animals, and for the animals themselves.

Film Premier: May 2019

Film Length: 1 hour, 32 minutes

Film Awards

New York Times Critic’s Pick
Winner – New Orleans Film Festival 2018
Winner – Ridgefield Independent Film Festival 2018

Watch the Film

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More About the Film

Visit the film website – For The Birds

More About Animal Hoarding

Animal hoarding is keeping a higher-than-usual number of animals as domestic pets without ability to properly house or care for them, while at the same time denying this inability. Compulsive hoarding can be characterized as a symptom of mental disorder rather than deliberate cruelty towards animals.

A Closer Look at Animal Hoarding, ASPCA

Animal Hoarding – A Complex Issue, ASPCA

Animal Hoarding, Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)

Animal Hoarders: the Illness and The Crime, PETA

Animal Hoarding Facts, Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF)