U.S. “shelters” killed more animals in 2025 and allowed more animals to die in their kennels
In other news: A cure for FIP. PETA’s mass killing continues. Dogs remain banned in communities based on their appearance. Communities are looking for someone to run their animal shelters. Ring cameras help people find lost pets. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has taken a heavy toll on dogs.
These are some of the stories making headlines in animal protection:
A cure for FIP
For years, cats who developed feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) were either killed or died. The disease had a 100% fatality rate. No more. Colorado State University veterinarians tested an antiviral therapy that has proven 77% effective in treating FIP. While 12% of cats relapsed, all relapsed cats achieved remission after a second higher dose. Importantly, there were no adverse side effects. The oral treatment studied at CSU, molnupiravir (MPV), is the second therapy shown to be effective in treating FIP.
Earlier research indicates that another antiviral, GS-441524, also achieves remission in roughly four out of five cats diagnosed with FIP. In 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration took steps that allowed veterinarians to legally prescribe it in compounded form, a common practice in veterinary medicine for tailoring drugs to individual animals. MPV is also available through compounding pharmacies.
With multiple treatment options now available, FIP is a treatable disease, and shelters and veterinarians should not be killing cats and kittens who test positive.
PETA’s mass killing continues
According to records recently reported by PETA and released by the Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (VDACS), PETA killed 938 cats in 2025. Another 179 were transferred, primarily to pounds that also kill animals. And despite millions of “animal-loving” supporters, a staff of hundreds, and annual revenues of over $85 million, PETA also admitted that they found homes for only 14 — an adoption rate of less than 1%.
They also killed 719 dogs, while adopting out only 21.
They killed 90% (18 out of 20) of rabbits and other small pets.
They killed roughly half of all “farmed” animals and 76% of all wild animals.
And though PETA tells the media and the public that all the dogs, cats, and other animal companions they kill are suffering when criticized, they do not report that to VDACS. Only wild animals are listed as “critically injured/dying.”
The cats are not.
The dogs are not.
The rabbits and other small animals are not.
The chickens are not.
And they are not listed as “critically injured/dying” because, if history is any guide, they weren’t.
Dogs remain banned in communities based on their appearance
