The Wild Felid Advocacy Center cat sanctuary in Shelton, Washington Alerted the Officials to the Outbreak Which Began in November

A Washington state wildlife sanctuary is mourning the deaths of 20 wildcats amid a bird flu outbreak as the virus infects poultry farms, dairy cattle and some people across the nation. The Wild Felid Advocacy Center of Washington in Shelton,

Bird flu cases in Washington have spread to an animal sanctuary, resulting in the deaths of 20 big cats and forcing the center into quarantine until further notice. The big picture: Wild Felid Advocacy Center in Shelton is working closely with public health officials to monitor workers and animals after the presence of bird flu (HPAI) was confirmed in some big cats at the sanctuary,

A Portland-based pet food company issued a nationwide voluntary recall after a house cat in Oregon died from eating one of its products, which tested positive for bird flu.

The recall, according to a news release published Wednesday, involves Northwest Naturals' Feline Turkey Recipe raw frozen pet food with sell-by dates between May 21, 2026, and Jun. 23, 2026. Tests confirmed the batch was contaminated with highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, according to a company statement.

"We are confident that this cat contracted H5N1 by eating the Northwest Naturals raw and frozen pet food," said an Oregon Department of Agriculture veterinarian