Over the last few years, videos of cats being tortured, mutilated, and killed on camera have spread across the internet like wildfire. Most of these videos come out of China, where animal cruelty laws don’t exist. But the content doesn’t stay there. It spreads through Telegram, YouTube, X, and other platforms, reaching an international audience willing to pay for it. They’re a part of a growing online network made up of people who treat animal abuse like entertainment, and a business.
The networks have a system. Members refer to themselves as “cat lovers” or “deleters,” they post advertisements for cats marked for death, often with a photo, a fake name, and a “shelf life” aka the date the cat is scheduled to be tortured and killed. Buyers, often called “sponsors,” can place orders for custom videos. They choose the method of torture, the tools to be used, and sometimes even specific types of cats. Once the payment goes through, the video gets made. Prices range from a few dollars to over $1,000, depending on what the buyer wants.
In chat groups, members share playlists of kill videos, swap tips, and compete to come up with new ways to hurt animals. It’s treated like a game, with status going to whoever can produce the most extreme content. Some groups post new videos every few hours. Others require new members to prove themselves by uploading a video of their own. This keeps out outsiders and ensures that everyone involved is directly complicit.
One public YouTube account had over 800 torture videos before it was taken down. Telegram groups are harder to track, with many operating for months before disappearing or splintering off into new ones. The videos often use code words or jokes to describe what’s happening. For example, a cat whose front legs were cut off might be referred to as a “T-Rex.” These terms make it easier for members to talk about abuse openly, while still hiding from outsiders and moderators.
Many of the people in these groups are young men. Some describe themselves as socially isolated or angry. Others simply see it as a way to gain attention or approval. Torturers are often treated like minor celebrities within these circles. They get compliments, requests, and praise for what they do. Some don’t even hide their identities. Telegram usernames sometimes include real names, job titles, or company info. A few users claim to be government employees or work in tech, these are people who live normal lives in public but pay to watch animals be tortured behind closed doors.
While most of the production happens in China, the demand comes from all over. People in the United States, the UK, Turkey, Japan, and other countries are regular participants in these groups. Some even try to mimic the Chinese videos, starting smaller copycat rings in their own countries. One group hacked into a livestream app called Street Cat, which was meant to show shelter cats in real time. They used it to locate cats and offered a bounty to anyone who could kill one on camera and dump the body in front of the livestream.
On May 18, 2025, over 20 protests across at least 13 countries, from New York to London to Istanbul, brought public attention to these torture rings, calling for governments (especially China’s) to pass anti-cruelty laws and crack down on online torment content. These protests included memorials for the cats lost, petitions delivered to Chinese consulates, and media campaigns pushing for legal change.
If you come across animal torture content, don’t scroll past it, report it. These videos are often hosted openly, and many platforms only act when forced.
- Nexus Intel is tracking cat torture and zoosadist networks worldwide. You can securely report leads, profiles, videos, or screenshots at:
🔗 nexusintel.org/#report - Feline Guardians investigates Chinese Telegram-based zoosadist groups.
You can learn more, follow cases, or sign their active petitions:
🔗 felineguardians.org
🔗 Petition to Chinese Officials
Even small reports help build a bigger picture. If no one reports it, nothing gets removed. If no one speaks up, no one gets held accountable.
Let them know we’re watching.
