About The Crisis
Facts and figures about the cat torture crisis.
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The Global Cat Torture Network Exposed
Summary
The following facts concern the rise of organized online animal torture communities targeting cats and kittens, with confirmed participation from individuals residing in many countries all over the world. Torture groups operate internationally, using encrypted chat rooms, mainstream social media platforms, and dedicated websites to coordinate extreme acts of cruelty. The issue has significant safeguarding implications. There is a well-established link between animal cruelty and violence toward people, particularly within domestic abuse and other high-risk contexts.
Background and Origin
Organized online torture activity first emerged circa 2015, initially traced to groups in China. In 2022, a central torture group was established by a Chinese man living in Japan. This entity operates via a dedicated website and major platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram. To gain access to the groups core chat rooms, applicants must submit a video of themselves torturing and killing a cat. This serves as an initiation ritual and proof of commitment to the community.
Scale and Methods
- Membership can reach 1,000 active participants at any time. Members share torture methods, coordinate acts of cruelty, and circulate video recordings.
- Documented acts include burning, boiling, amputation, and prolonged mutilation.
- Between May 2023 and May 2024, a new torture video was published every 14 hours and 34 minutes on average.
- By February 2025, upload frequency had increased by 510%, with a new video every 2 hours 38 minutes.
- Videos are first shared in closed groups, then re-posted to major platforms, often evading detection and moderation.
- Findings have been independently corroborated by investigative journalism, notably CNN, news.com.au, and the BBC.
There are many documented acts of prolonged torture using methods such as burning, boiling, amputation, with some videos showing torture lasting for days.
3,500+
CATS TORTURED SINCE 2023
Documented cases of severe abuse orchestrated through encrypted channels. The true number is likely significantly higher as the network expands.
90%
The vast majority of content originates from China due to a complete lack of comprehensive animal cruelty laws to deter abuse.
2 Hours, 38 Minutes
By February 2025, a video showcasing the torture and execution of a cat is upload every 2 hours, 38 minutes to online Chinese torture communities.
24+ Groups
More than 20 separate groups have been documented. The largest group exceeded 1,000 members. Researchers believe the most active individual recorded over 300 cat torture videos.
2,000+
Between May of 2023 and May of 2024, more than 2,000 members were discovered in the largest of three known groups. Many other smaller groups existed.
130+
Between April and May 2025, over 130 X accounts shared posts promoting animal abuse. One Mandarin-language post refering to “cat abuse” was viewed over 570 times during the same period.
The Global Crisis
Cat torture viewers and participants have been found on every continent and linked to other serious crimes. Just a few examples are highlighted below
UK & Europe
Participants in the torture networks have been identified in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and other countries. In 2025, two teenagers were arrested for torturing kittens in London.
USA & North America
In the U.S. and Canada, researchers have discovered links between Neo-Nazi adjacent groups like 764 and Order of the 9 Angles and cat torture. In other U.S. and English-speaking groups, members encourage minors to hurt themselves and share “hurtcore” content.
Turkey
Domestic terrorist group C31K in Turkey shows a link between incel ideology and child abuse content and cat abuse. These links are not unique to Turkish cat torture groups and are seen all over the world.
China & Asia
China is the hub for cat abuse content, but this content is prevalent across Asia and the Middle East. Chinese cat torture group participants express incel ideology, share revenge porn, and promote child sexual abuse content.