Twenty Exotic Cats Die from Bird Flu at Washington Animal Sanctuary

A devastating outbreak of bird flu has led to the deaths of 20 exotic cats, including a Bengal tiger, four cougars, a lynx, and four bobcats, at the Wild Felid Advocacy Center in Shelton, Washington. The feline fatalities, which occurred between late November and mid-December 2024, are part of a wider spread of the virus, which has been affecting wild and domestic animals across the United States.

Mark Mathews, the center’s director, expressed shock at the scale of the outbreak, noting, "We’ve never had anything like it; they usually die of old age, not from something like this. It’s a pretty wicked virus." While three cats recovered, one remained in critical condition, and more than half of the center’s wild cat population was impacted.

The sanctuary had first reported an unknown illness affecting some of its animals, prompting a temporary closure to the public. On December 6, the center confirmed that bird flu, specifically the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strain, had been detected in several of its cats. The center, which has implemented strict biosecurity protocols, has been working closely with federal, state, and local animal health officials to manage the situation.

Bird flu, which typically affects birds, can also spread to carnivorous mammals that consume infected birds or products. Cats are particularly susceptible, with the virus causing rapid, often fatal, pneumonia-like symptoms. The sanctuary has since placed its remaining 17 cats under quarantine, and is focusing on disinfecting the facility and investigating the virus's origin, which includes examining stored food and other possible contamination sources.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has reported bird flu cases in wild birds across the state and confirmed infections in cougars from another area. This outbreak comes on the heels of several other incidents involving domestic animals. In Oregon, a house cat died after consuming raw pet food contaminated with bird flu, prompting a nationwide recall of the product.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture confirmed that the infected cat had consumed frozen pet food from Northwest Naturals, which tested positive for the virus. This incident underscores the growing concern about the spread of bird flu through animal products, particularly raw pet food.

The U.S. has also seen other reports of bird flu affecting household pets, including cats in Los Angeles and Texas. California’s dairy cattle herds have been particularly hard-hit, with many herds testing positive for H5N1.

While there have been no reported human cases linked to these outbreaks, authorities are closely monitoring individuals who may have been in contact with infected animals, especially those who have handled contaminated pet food or raw milk.

The Wild Felid Advocacy Center remains closed to the public as it continues to combat the virus, hoping for a full recovery of its remaining animals. The sanctuary’s efforts to protect both its animals and the community come amid an escalating public health and animal welfare crisis linked to bird flu.