25/05/2026
*We strongly discourage any attacks or hatred towards Chinese citizens. Our aim is to support Chinese activists and animal lovers, and to call for animal protection law in China.*
Animal cruelty is not new. But in recent years, the torture of cats and kittens has evolved into a disturbing online phenomenon driven by organized networks, viral content, and social media distribution.
The crisis escalated in 2023, when systematic cat torture videos from China began spreading internationally online. While animal abuse in the region has been documented for decades, these networks introduced a new level of scale, coordination, and visibility.
According to activists from Feline Guardians, between May 2023 and May 2024, a new cat torture video was uploaded approximately every 14 hours. By 2025, that frequency had reportedly escalated to every 2.5 hours — a 500% increase in just two years.
So why is this spreading so rapidly?
Social media platforms and online networks have played a major role in amplifying this content through:
• Telegram groups with hundreds or thousands of members
• Cross-platform reposting, including on Meta-owned platforms
• Bot accounts boosting visibility and engagement
• Online communities rewarding shock behavior with attention and status
The graphic nature of this content drives engagement, while weak moderation allows it to remain accessible and continue spreading.
This becomes especially concerning when young people are exposed to repeated violent content online. Constant exposure can normalize cruelty, desensitize viewers, and encourage progression from watching to imitation.
And this issue is no longer limited to China.
Cases linked to cat torture networks have now been documented in countries including the UK, US, Australia, Turkey, and across Southeast Asia — demonstrating how online violence can spread across borders.
In 2026, China remains the only major industrialized country without comprehensive anti-cruelty laws.
Addressing this crisis requires international cooperation, stronger platform moderation, legal reform, and public pressure. Awareness matters. Speaking out matters.
📢 Visit the links in our bio to learn more, sign petitions, and support activists working to end cat torture and protect vulnerable animals worldwide.