Ringworm (dermatophytosis) is a highly contagious fungal infection that spreads rapidly through cat shelters, requiring systematic management to protect individual and population welfare.
Ringworm causes hair loss, crusting, and itching that is distressing to affected cats. Treatment protocols involving twice-weekly full-body antifungal dips are stressful for cats and time-consuming for shelter staff. During outbreaks, the stress of repeated handling, isolation, and treatment compounds the welfare burden. Progressive shelters now use open-population management protocols that treat in place rather than isolating cats, reducing stress and maintaining social bonds.