Ringworm (dermatophytosis) is one of the most common and challenging infectious diseases in cat shelters, causing welfare concerns through prolonged isolation and treatment.
Ringworm management in shelters involves a welfare tradeoff between controlling disease spread and avoiding the psychological harm of isolation. Prolonged individual confinement for treatment caused significant behavioral regression in many cats under older protocols. Modern approaches emphasizing foster care, systematic antifungal treatment, and improved shelter design have transformed outcomes. Cats treated in foster homes show faster recovery, better behavioral health, and improved adoption prospects compared to shelter-isolated individuals.