Ringworm (dermatophytosis) is the most common reason cats are euthanized in shelters; effective treatment protocols allow most infected cats to recover and be rehomed.
Ringworm causes significant welfare harm not primarily through its physical effects - which are often mild - but through the shelter response of euthanasia in overwhelmed facilities. Evidence-based treatment protocols have transformed ringworm from a death sentence to a manageable disease in well-resourced shelters. Advocating for these protocols and supporting shelter funding saves lives and reduces unnecessary suffering.