(Cowa Bungie) writes

"...An alcoholic family member who is a pet-collector is indigent, refusing
contact with family, and possibly may have to be committed for psychiatric
observation against her will...."

While not quite Indigent (a level of poverty in which real hardship and
deprivation are suffered and comforts of life are wholly lacking), I'm sure
your relative has a whole slew of major problems, debt being a part of those
problems! Has this relative exhibited deviant behavior witnessed by others
than can be proved in a court of law? One deviant behavior is when a person
collects animals but has no means or ability to care for the animals. As a
result, the animals become sick and are in real danger. Can you document
anything with a photos or videos? Can neighbors or medical reports help your
case? It's best to try to do what you can to help the animals before it's too
late.