Blaine, Minn. – A disturbing wave of cat poisonings across the U.S. has spurred PETA to release a new nationwide video campaign, with a particular focus on Blaine, Minnesota, where a man allegedly poisoned stray cats using antifreeze. The powerful video series, set to air on major networks including CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox this week, seeks to raise awareness about the dangers outdoor cats face.
One of the videos depicts a woman casually filling a bowl with cat food before surreptitiously adding liquid from a bottle labeled “poison.” As she places the bowl outside, a stark message flashes across the screen, urging pet owners to keep their cats indoors to protect them from harm. The campaign also features actor Jaeden Martell, known for his role in It.
“Outdoor life poses significant risks for cats, who can be viewed as nuisances and become targets for cruel acts,” said PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “PETA urges all cat guardians to create a safe and stimulating indoor environment to shield their pets from predators, traffic, and other dangers that lurk outdoors.”
Cats allowed to roam outside, as well as homeless cats that are regularly fed by well-meaning individuals, are at high risk of violence, abuse, parasitic infections, deadly diseases, and accidents such as being struck by vehicles. PETA stresses the importance of indoor enrichment for cats, recommending items like toys, climbing structures, scratching posts, and “cat TV” to keep them engaged. For those looking to provide a safe outdoor experience, PETA offers a guide to building a catio and suggests their “cat guardian’s bible,” authored by PETA President Ingrid Newkirk, which is available for purchase.
PETA’s video series highlights additional harrowing cases of cat cruelty: a kitten set on fire in Dayton, Ohio; a cat stomped and stabbed with a screwdriver in El Paso, Texas; multiple homeless cats shot with a crossbow in Los Angeles; and a cat shot in the head with a metal arrow in Pequea Township, Pennsylvania. More such cases are documented on PETA’s website.
With a motto that emphasizes “animals are not ours to abuse in any way,” PETA underscores the importance of empathy and offers free educational Empathy Kits for those needing a reminder in kindness. For further information, visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
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