LOS ANGELES (May 22, 2025) — Animal advocacy organizations Lady Freethinker (LFT), In Defense of Animals, and Animal Defenders International (ADI) gathered outside the Consulate-General of China in Los Angeles on May 18 to mourn the growing number of cats brutally killed by “crush video” rings. The event was part of an international day of action, with 21 demonstrations in 14 countries hosted by a coalition which also includes Feline Guardians.

Chinese-American advocates and animal activists shared moving stories of animal abuse and rescue during the memorial ceremony to honor cat torture victims.

People in the United States and other countries consume, share, request, and commission the torture videos, which typically originate in China, where no laws exist to protect animal companions from cruelty. According to a report from Feline Guardians, cats endure high severity suffering until death, including being force-fed acid, blenderized while conscious, burned alive, thrown from heights, and doused in boiling water.

On May 19, advocates returned to the consulate to deliver petition letters with signatures totaling more than 128,000, 18,000, and 29,000 respectively. The letters urge Chinese authorities — including Los Angeles Consul General Guo Shaochun — 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.

“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. “LFT is calling on Consul General Guo Shaochun to advocate for a life-saving animal protection law in China and take swift action to end these sadistic groups who are terrorizing cats on camera.”

“Secretive online cat crush communities harm both children and animals around the world — and have disturbing links to terrorism, theft, and pedophilia,” said Marilyn Kroplick M.D., President and CEO of In Defense of Animals. “A key reason Westerners are able to commission these videos is the lack of an animal protection law in China. We respectfully urge Consul General Zhang Jianmin to build on China’s progress for children and animals by urgently advancing the national draft animal protection law and launching an official investigation into dangerous cat crush rings.”

Concerned citizens are urged to learn how to report animal cruelty content and take action to stop cat torture: https://www.idausa.org/campaign/animal-companions/latest/stop-online-cat-torture-groups

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Feline Guardians Report on global cat torture network is available on request. 

Contacts: 

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

About 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.

About 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

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