SAN FRANCISCO (May 20, 2025) — Former California State Assembly member Paul Fong gave a rousing speech outside the Consulate-General of China in San Francisco 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, organized by a coalition that includes In Defense of Animals, Lady Freethinker (LFT), Feline Guardians, and Animal Defenders International (ADI).

Former Assemblymember Paul Fong shared his experience having successfully led California’s shark fin ban, “I got a lot of heat from the Chinese American community here in San Francisco for doing that. But still, I felt it was the right thing to do, and so I did it. 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.”

Mr. Fong further encouraged advocates protesting cat torture, saying, “I'm an animal lover and they need a voice, and so I thought I'd become that voice for them when I was in the state assembly. And you are being that voice to the cats right now because they don't like to be tortured, they don't like to be eaten either, and so I really appreciate your efforts. I'm here to help you and I'm here to protest with you.”

People in the United States and other countries consume, share, request, and commission cat 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, burned alive, thrown from heights, and doused in boiling water.

Petitions urging officials to act have amassed more than 128,000, 18,000, and 29,000 signatures respectively. These letters encourage Chinese authorities — including San Francisco Consul General Zhang Jianmin — 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 LFT Founder and President Nina Jackel.  “LFT is calling on Consul General Zhang Jianmin to advocate for a life-saving animal protection law in China.”

“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 at: https://www.idausa.org/campaign/animal-companions/latest/stop-online-cat-torture-groups

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

Contact: Fleur Dawes, 415-879-6879, media@idausa.org

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

About Lady Freethinker

Lady Freethinker is a 501 (c) (3) 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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