Alright, so I've been facing this dilemma for a couple years now. I have a friend(the same one who has stopped treating me as a friend since I started dating my boyfriend) who has some dogs and maybe 3 or 4 horses. Everytime I go to her house, I always feel uncomfortable because all their animals are skin and bone. The dogs look like they haven't eaten in weeks, their fur is dirty and my friend's house is just filthy. It's cluttered with stuff, with saddles, bridles, food, dirty dishes...the dogs run amok in the house and bark like crazy. The horses are gorgeous, but you can see their hip bones and rib lines clearly. Now, I don't like to simply invade and judge my friends/people's houses, but as an animal lover, this really strikes a nerve. Especially since I love horses more than anything in the world and I've always wanted my own. I just...don't know what to do. I don't want to come off in the wrong way, but I can't help but feel that they should either get rid of some of their animals, or take more responsibility for them. I don't like trouble, but...at the same time, I want justice for these animals that have been in this state for years. What should I do?

Call animal control and give them a tip. They'll visit the house, evaluate the situation, and determine if anything needs to be done.

I agree with Keyori. If one of those animals starve to death you will feel horrible that you didn't step in sooner and it will probably taint your friendship as well. You know what is happening, so that makes it your responsibility. Those horses and dogs can't speak for themselves.

I agree with everyone else, call Animal Control. Even if she's your friend, you can't let someone treat animals that way. She may not even have to know it was you who called. And if she's not treating you like a friend now anyways, you shouldn't feel too guilty about calling. I think the best thing to do is to explain the situation when you call and ask if you can remain anonymous. That way you avoid more drama with your friend.

as the other people said, call the animal control.
It might make you feel better though, if you talk it over with your friend first. (If it's troubling you to "tell" on your friend)
He/she might be open to your suggestions and arguements... but if not, as they others, and I already said, call the animal control.

Alright, thank you for the advice and encouragement. I definately don't want anything bad to happen to either the animals or to the remnants of my friendship with her.

Something bad is happening to the animals. Right now. Whether or not this eventually the neglect leads to death is all but irrelevant - malnutrition is an incredibly painful thing and those animals shouldn't have to suffer through it.

Your friend needs to get her life together. It's clear that she's neglecting herself and her home, too, and it's probably causing her more discomfort than you're aware of. Having the situation evaluated by the authorities may be a wake up call, and having fewer animals in her possession may give her more time to focus on meeting her own needs.

I think you should talk to her about doing more before anything else, give her a little time to change her habits, and if she does nothing then call animal control.

It's not fair at all to let them live like this, and you shouldn't but your fear of confrontation before getting help for these poor animals.

If you went to a friend's house and her baby was skin and bones, you could see its ribs perfectly to the point where it looked like it hadn't eaten in a few weeks, would you do nothing at all? I have a hard time believing anyone would.
Well, these animals are the same, and a few minutes of awkwardness should not stand in the way, nor should the idea of losing a friend, who by the sounds of it doesn't deserve your friendship much. If a lose of a friend saves a couple of animals lives, I don't think there should be a debate.

I think it's pretty obvious at this point that you need to call animal control. I don't agree with the statement that you should wait for her to "change her habits." If the animals are in such a poor state, chances are that this has been going on for a LONG time, and she's oblivious to how her actions (or lack thereof) are damaging the animals. People like that are not likely to change just because you tell them to.

You need to get the authorities involved. It's not fair to make the animals WAIT for her to change after you tell her. They need help, they need it now, and it's up to you.

Those poor animals, though yes, it would be best to call animal control on that one. It's evident that they aren't very good any owners. I mean, if their house is dirty as hell inside and out, then that's absolutely no place for an animal to live. They are probably sick (even if they don't look like it). It's best for those animals to get taken care of before they die.

It is already affecting you, but I personally believe that if you do indeed have said friendship, it is unfair you act without putting her in some kind of advice about your intentions, it could damage your relationship as much or worse than what your current dilemma makes you fear.

She is your friend, then be direct about it. You don't need months, and you can call animal control if she doesn't get your ultimatum with weeks. You can even get involved into helping her improve, she might actually want to treat them better. Getting involved will help you feel more tranquil about things being done.

Benefit of doubt, is good to give. I hope the best for the situation.

Alright. >< I will try to look to helping them. She's a rather stubborn person, I'm not sure she'd listen to me anyway. And you're right, it shouldn't really be a debate.

I would probably try and talk to her first. Maybe suggest some animals could be given to an animal rescue or depending on if you can handle it, take over the care yourself?. Maybe try and find out why the animals are being neglected?.
Since things sound so bad right now, I wouldn't wait too long with the "talk to her" approach before calling in the animal control.
It's nice that you care about the person involved as well as the companion animals. She probably doesn't have many friends under those circumstances.

Some people don't realize that not everyone whose captive animals end up being treated cruelly is a bad malicious, vicious person. Sometimes other events happen to interfere with their normal care or possibly an accident or illness occurs.
I really think it's best to try and solve problems beforehand, but the animals may not have that much time left depending on how starved they are. And if you cannot convince her to hand some over rescue, the consequences may be worse further along.

I'd put an animal before a person any day, especially such a shitty excuse for a friend. If I were you, I'd call animal control and voice my concerns. There are animal rights laws in place for a reason. Also, it sounds like someone in your friend's family might be a hoarder which opens up a whole other can of worms.

Hoarding is about a person with mental illness problems. So the person needs help along with the animals.