Kiki Knopp is warning cat owners in New Jersey and beyond about the rising threat of avian flu — a virus that is spreading quickly among wild birds and has now begun affecting cats across the U.S., with 40 cases reported in just the past few months.
The virus was recently detected in two cats in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. In Oregon, Knopp is still mourning the loss of nine of her beloved cats to the H5N1 virus, which swept through her household last month. Miraculously, seven survived, but only after being hospitalized in intensive care with IV fluids and oxygen.
“It’s all just terrible, which is why I’m speaking out so much,” Knopp said. “I really don’t want anyone else to experience this level of heartbreak.”
Knopp described the onset of symptoms starting with fever, followed by one cat struggling to walk, a sign of neurological issues. Another cat began breathing rapidly and shallowly. X-rays revealed pneumonia, and both cats died within 48 hours.
“Everything online mentions nasal discharge, sneezing, but we didn’t see any sneezing,” Knopp said. “I knew something terrible was happening, but I couldn’t figure out what.”
Like many cat owners, Knopp had been feeding her cats raw chicken pet food from Wild Coast Raw. The company announced it was monitoring its products for avian flu and issued a voluntary recall after some batches tested positive and at least one cat died.
The recall affects Wild Coast Raw’s frozen Boneless Free Range Chicken Formula raw pet food for cats, in both 16 oz. and 24 oz. sizes, sold in white plastic containers with green labels. The affected lots are #22660, #22653, #22641, #22639, #22672, and #22664, with a best buy date of December 2025.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported that the raw pet food, distributed in Washington and Oregon, “has the potential to be contaminated with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1,” also known as bird flu.
In addition to contaminated food, infected birds can also spread the virus. Dr. Darby McDermott, New Jersey’s state public health veterinarian, reported that the confirmed cases in the state involved an outside feral cat that was euthanized, an indoor-outdoor cat, and possibly other cats on the same property.
“There are a few additional cases associated with the cases in Hunterdon County,” McDermott said. “The investigation is still ongoing, but some of the ways cats can be exposed include eating or drinking raw food or milk contaminated with the virus.”
State officials have also confirmed the presence of the virus at a live poultry market in Union County, as well as in dead geese and other birds found around the state. Because cats often catch and eat birds, animal rescue organizations are now on high alert. Avian flu has a very high mortality rate in cats.
Dr. Laura Collins, who oversees veterinary care at Tabby’s Place, a cat sanctuary in Hunterdon County, said the facility is stepping up its infection control measures for new clients. “We already wear gowns, gloves, and caps for those cats because of concerns about ringworm,” she said. “So now, our personal protective equipment includes masks for cats showing symptoms.”
“This is real, and it’s happening around us,” said Garret Barcheski, shelter director at Father John’s Animal House in Sussex County. “Please keep your cats indoors as much as possible and be cautious about what you’re feeding your pets.”
The rescue facility has a dedicated quarantine room and isolates new arrivals. Barcheski urges people to be vigilant, especially if they spot a sick animal.
“Stay alert, observe, and don’t let your heart be bigger than your brain,” he said. “In this line of work, it’s hard because we see animals in need, and we want to help. But right now, we’re advising against taking action without caution.”
So far, people exposed to cats with avian flu have tested negative for the virus, including Knopp. She has turned to a GoFundMe account to cover over $20,000 in veterinary bills, but no amount of money can replace her cats. “They were the sweetest, funniest girls, and there’s no replacing them,” she said.
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