SAN JOSE, Calif./LONDON — Feline Guardian Coalition invites all animal advocates to join a powerful online rally ahead of International Cat Day, Thursday, August 7 at 4 p.m. PT/Friday, August 8 at 12 a.m. BST, to mourn cats killed in online torture videos, protect living cats from abuse, and celebrate the deep bonds between people and cats around the world.

Register to Participate: idausa.org/protectcats

Watch Live: facebook.com/ladyfreethinker

The Speak Up for Cats virtual rally features a groundbreaking panel of international experts exposing the rise of organized online cat torture rings. Participants include criminologist Jenny Edwards, Professor Guo Peng, Chinese scholars, and campaigners from Feline Guardians, Lady Freethinker, and In Defense of Animals. The event includes a live Q&A, ritual of remembrance led by animal chaplains, and calls to action to help end the spread of zoosadist videos.

“Cats are being tortured in secret groups, and it’s being shared on social media like it’s entertainment — it’s horrifying,” said Lisa Levinson, Campaigns Director at In Defense of Animals and curator of museum exhibition Crazy Cat Ladies. “This rally is for anyone who cares about cats and wants to stop this cruelty.”

Videos depicting the sexualized torture and killing of cats for profit have surged across platforms including Telegram, YouTube, X, and Instagram, according to data collected by Feline Guardians. 

An investigation by CNN revealed a 500% increase in videos within a six-month period, with most produced in China and exported globally. The perpetrators, many of whom are driven by sadistic sexual fetishes, share content in encrypted and open forums where cat killers are treated like celebrities.

Despite rising public pressure, most social media companies have failed to effectively remove this content or cooperate with law enforcement. The coalition is calling on Congress to pass a resolution condemning online animal torture videos and holding platforms accountable.

What: Speak Up for Cats: International Cat Day Virtual Rally

When: Thursday, August 7 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time/Friday, August 8 at 12 a.m. British Summer Time

(Friday, August 8 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. China Standard Time)

Take part: Register at idausa.org/ProtectCats

Watch live: facebook.com/LadyFreethinker

The rally will be held on Zoom and livestreamed to Facebook. A replay link will be sent to all who register to attend at idausa.org/ProtectCats.

Delivery of petition letters with signatures totaling more than 129,000, 21,000, and 30,000 respectively, has been rejected by Chinese consulates in Los Angeles. Chinese authorities including Consul Generals Guo Shaochun of Los Angeles and Zhang Jianmin of San Francisco have been urged to launch an official investigation of these underground cat torture rings and expedite draft legislation that will stop the cruelty from happening in the first place. China has drafted animal protection laws, but until one is passed, animal torture remains legal.

Former Assemblymember Paul Fong successfully led California’s shark fin ban and has called the campaign a “noble effort.” Speaking at a rally outside San Francisco’s Chinese Consulate, he said, “You're here to try to save the cats from torture. It's a noble effort and I'm here to help you do that.”

“Even though 70 million cats live in Chinese households, the country still lacks a law to protect these beloved family members from torture, mutilation, and killing,” says Lady Freethinker Founder and President Nina Jackel. “That’s why LFT is co-hosting this action and urging global cat lovers to advocate for a life-saving animal protection law in China and for social media platforms like Telegram to take swift action to end these sadistic groups who are terrorizing cats on camera.”

“We are appalled and disgusted that Meta, Telegram, and other social media platforms have failed to demonstrate any standards of responsibility and common decency, instead, choosing to allow animal torture, cruelty, and abuse on their platforms. This International Cat Day, Animal Defenders International urges all social media platforms to take responsibility for their part in spreading violence and cruelty, so damaging to public decency. Time to show some moral backbone. Shut down these animal abuse videos and protect the cats and other intelligent, emotional animals affected,” said Jan Creamer, President and Founder of Animal Defenders International.

Concerned citizens are urged to learn how to report animal cruelty content and take action to stop cat torture: https://www.felineguardians.org/take-action/petition

### NOTES ###

Feline Guardians’ Report on global cat torture networks is available on request. 

Contacts: 

For press inquiries, speaker interviews, or access to case data, please contact:

Lisa Levinson, In Defense of Animals, lisa@idausa.org, (215) 620-2130
Nina Jackel, Lady Freethinker, Nina.J@ladyfreethinker.org, (310) 923-0729

Images & Video: https://bit.ly/CatTortureCN

Feline Guardians Partners:

Animal Defenders International

Active worldwide to end animal suffering, ADI’s undercover investigations inside laboratories, circuses, animal traffickers, and Hollywood animal trainers have led to prosecutions and new laws to protect animals. Detailed studies and undercover missions to expose the suffering of animals in entertainment around the world. www.ad-international.org

Lady Freethinker

Lady Freethinker is an international nonprofit working to end animal suffering. LFT gives a voice to those who cannot speak out for themselves and effects meaningful, lasting change through investigative reporting and other media, citizen petitions, and partnerships with rescuers and activists on the ground worldwide. Together, we are changing the way the world sees and treats animals for the better. Learn more at www.ladyfreethinker.org.

In Defense of Animals

In Defense of Animals is an international animal rescue and protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a history of defending animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, rural Mississippi and California, since 1983. www.idausa.org

### ENDS ###