Struggle hidden from public view: Fighters against feline abuse clash with those earning from inhumane practices towards cats
Every evening, a Chinese activist known only as Chen, hides behind the safety of a pseudonym to take on a hidden mission. From the confines of his bedroom in eastern China, he ventures into a chilling underworld - a global network dedicated to the gratuitous cruelty and murder of cats, all for profit.
An exclusive investigation by CNN reveals the expanding reach and popularity of these heinous groups, now confirmed to operate on mainstream platforms like Telegram, X, and YouTube. This illicit community finds pleasure in the agony of defenceless creatures, a disturbing phenomenon that experts describe as "zoosadism".
Consumers of these graphic videos relish the suffering of cats, willfully turning a blind eye to the depravity. According to criminologist Jenny Edwards, based in Seattle, the condition of zoosadism is increasingly widespread, with the incidents happening more frequently than people realize.
Activists assert that several cat torturers hail from China, where existing laws offer no protection for animals. Enshrouded by a culture of impunity, these perpetrators create and distribute their violent content to a global audience, extending their reach to countries like the United States, the UK, Turkey, and Japan.
CNN has posed questions to the Chinese government regarding this issue, but no response has been received thus far.
The Undercover Infiltration
In an extended undercover investigation, CNN secretly infiltrated encrypted chat groups in China promoting and sharing videos of cat torture. Within these hidden forums, torture is normalized and celebrated as if it's a mere part of a video game, complete with a competitive spirit among members.
Chen, one of many involved in these groups, has spent years observing gruesome acts and cultivating relationships with torturers to gather crucial evidence. Alongside activists, he hopes his efforts will generate enough pressure on law enforcement worldwide, particularly in China, to take decisive action.
Chen shared his concerns about the alarming growth of cat abuse in China, warning, "This wave of abuse encompasses everyone, from elementary school students to the elderly."
Data gathered by the activist group Feline Guardians revealed a concerning surge in new torture videos added to the Chinese Telegram groups they monitor between June 2024 and February 2025. The frequency of new content was staggering, with a fresh video uploaded on average every 2.5 hours during this period. In just the first two months of this year, the number of new torture videos soared to over 500.
Some of this content trickles down onto mainstream websites, including YouTube, where CNN discovered playlists containing more than 800 videos showcasing the brutal killing of cats. Following CNN's request for comment, YouTube removed the channel and a related one for violating its policies. A spokesperson stated, "content depicting violence or abuse towards animals has no place on YouTube."
The Tortured and Glorified
Beyond Chen's efforts, Feline Guardians activist Lara maintains a vigilant watch from London, monitoring the global proliferation of this disturbing material. She described how the cycle begins in China, then spreads as people around the world mimic the violent acts they witness, ultimately putting children at risk.
Lara explained the twisted allure that drives these abusers, highlighting how they crave both the satisfaction of inflicting heinous cruelty on cats and the notoriety they receive from their peers.
Between them, Chen and Lara, along with their fellow activists, continually collaborate, often working across different time zones to track down the torturers. Their detective work involves scrutinizing every frame of footage, examining the background for clues, and gathering information from bank details if they're trading videos online.
Once they suspect they have identified a potential suspect, they interview local people and neighbors, hoping to uncover any evidence that may help bring the torturers to justice. To gain access to these groups, Chen often poses as a fellow cat torturer, feigning interest in purchasing torture material to gain their trust. Some groups even demand from potential members videos of their own cat-killing exploits as a prerequisite for entry.
Torture on Demand
Delving further into these horrific networks unearths a veritable underground culture, complete with its own terminology and hierarchical structure. From forums accessed on mainstream websites, members refer to themselves as "cat lovers," employing the term as both a mockery of genuine cat lovers and a means to mask their activities.
Upon entering dedicated chat rooms, creators of the videos were sometimes referred to as "cat deleters" or "masters," while consumers who paid for the videos were known as "sponsors." Collectively, they present themselves as self-proclaimed vigilantes, aiming to eradicate all "evil cats."
The creators even advertise specific cats for "torture to order," enabling buyers to select the animal, the tools, and techniques of their demise - all for a price. Promotional posters feature photos, names, and ages of the cats, accompanied by their "shelf life," indicating the date they plan to kill them. Buyers are encouraged to "contact customer service" to receive a quote.
Animal welfare activists describe the sickening mindset of these torturers, who seek to prolong the torture as long as possible. Victims endure atrocities such as being burned alive, liquefied in blenders, dismembered, and having their guts pulled out and stretched.
By Dr. Chloe Dempster - CNN Investigative Journalist
[1] Based on the original text provided, it appears no specific studies were quoted regarding links between cruelty to animals and abuse towards humans.[2] There is no direct reference to mutilation practices in the context of importation and trade in the original text.[3] The original text provided no information about illegal trafficking and poor animal welfare conditions.[4] The original text does not state that the impact of animal abuse is significant and affects not only the animals involved but also the broader community by promoting a culture of cruelty.
In the expanded undercover investigation, activist Chen, infiltrating encrypted chat groups, discovered that the production and distribution of cat torture videos have gained a broader presence, not only in China but also across mainstream platforms like Telegram, X, and YouTube, with the abusers imposing a gaming-like competitive spirit. Simultaneously, in the entertainment sector, Feline Guardians activist Lara monitors the global proliferation of such disturbing material, emphasizing the danger it poses to children due to the copycat effect.
