In the quiet suburbs of Portland, Oregon, Jamila Acfalle, a dog trainer by profession, found herself in a unique predicament. Her home was a sanctuary for dogs with behavioral issues, animals that had been cast aside or were on the brink of euthanasia. These were not ordinary pets; they were troubled souls in need of understanding and rehabilitation.

Amidst the chaos of barking and bounding canines, Acfalle yearned for a companion who could hold her own—a cat who would not cower in fear but stand her ground. Thus, when she met a litter of long-haired Maine Coons in 2021, it was the smoke gray kitten who boldly approached her, sat at her feet, and captured her heart. "I knew at that moment that she was my cat," Acfalle told. With a dog named Hero, it seemed fitting to name the cat Villain.

Villain was a marvel, a feline who quickly asserted her dominance over the dogs. She was a blend of friendliness and mischief, a perfect addition to the household. Acfalle, ever the conscientious pet owner, decided to train Villain to walk on a leash, ensuring she could enjoy the outdoors safely. She also took great care in selecting Villain's diet, drawn to the growing trend of raw food for pets. Like many Americans, Acfalle believed that raw food, less processed than dry kibble, was a healthier option, more akin to what animals would consume in the wild. This belief was fueled by a growing distrust in highly processed foods and chemical additives, a sentiment that had led to a surge in interest in raw diets for both humans and pets.

However, this trend was not without its critics. Infectious disease experts warned that abandoning traditional safety measures, such as heating milk and cooking meats, could expose pets and humans to dangerous viruses and bacteria. In the era of bird flu, the risks were particularly alarming. The H5N1 virus, a strain with pandemic potential, had been detected in domestic and wild cats, linked to contaminated pet food. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a stark warning, advising pet food manufacturers to incorporate cooking steps or supply chain controls to mitigate the risk of bird flu. Consumers were urged to reconsider the dangers of feeding their pets uncooked meat or raw food products.

Acfalle, however, had done her research. She chose a brand she believed was taking extra precautions to ensure safety. The raw food she selected for Villain consisted of frozen nuggets of raw meat, organs, and bones. It seemed like the perfect diet, and Villain thrived on it—until she didn't.

Just after Thanksgiving, Villain fell ill. The symptoms were perplexing and alarming. She stopped eating, stopped using the litter box, and began to struggle with balance and coordination. As her condition worsened, Acfalle tried everything to entice her to eat, creating a smorgasbord of different foods. But Villain's condition deteriorated further. She paced incessantly, unable to stay still, as if something was chasing her. The next morning, Villain was barely able to open her eyes. Acfalle rushed her to an emergency animal hospital, but it was too late. Villain's brain had begun to swell, and she died in Acfalle's arms.

Devastated and in disbelief, Acfalle took the extraordinary step of sending Villain's body to Oregon State University for a necropsy. The results were shattering: H5N1 bird flu. The virus had come from a contaminated batch of Northwest Naturals pet food, the very brand Acfalle had chosen for Villain and recommended to her clients. "I felt responsible," Acfalle said. "I felt responsible for choosing that for her, for choosing a raw lifestyle for her."

The FDA's warning was not just a theoretical concern; it had become a tragic reality. H5N1 infections in American pets were rare but increasingly common, with at least 74 pet cats testing positive since December 2022. Cats were particularly vulnerable, as the virus could invade their brains and cause devastating neurological complications. Dr. J. Scott Weese, a veterinarian specializing in zoonotic infections, noted that the official count was likely an underestimation. Many pet owners, especially cat owners, did not seek veterinary care or testing due to cost and other barriers. The virus could spread rapidly, and by the time symptoms appeared, it might be too late.

Joseph Journell of San Bernardino County, California, faced a similar tragedy. In November, three of his indoor cats suddenly fell ill after consuming raw milk from Raw Farm, a dairy that later recalled its products after testing positive for H5N1. Two of Journell's cats died, while a third, Big Boy, became critically ill, losing his sight and mobility. After weeks of aggressive treatment, including the antiviral drug Tamiflu, Big Boy recovered. Journell, who had also consumed the raw milk, experienced mild flu-like symptoms but tested negative for the virus. Despite the company's denial, Journell remained convinced that the raw milk was the culprit.

The risks of raw pet food extended beyond the food itself. Many pet owners prepared their pets' meals in the same kitchen space where they prepared their own food, potentially contaminating countertops, utensils, and cutting boards. Pets could also spread germs through their bowls or litter boxes, exposing humans to harmful pathogens. Dr. Andrea Love, an immunologist and microbiologist, warned that the more contact the virus had with humans, the more it could adapt to infect them. "The cats are the canaries in the coal mine," said Bill Marler, a Seattle attorney specializing in foodborne illness cases. "It's just a matter of time before raw milk or cat food contaminated with bird flu makes a human sick."

Despite these warnings, the raw pet food market continued to grow. Grocery and pet stores now dedicated entire aisles to frozen and refrigerated raw pet foods, which were more expensive than traditional dry kibble. The Business Research Company projected that the raw pet food market would nearly double in size from $3.7 billion in 2024 to $6.4 billion by 2028. Advocates of raw diets claimed health benefits, but veterinarians and infectious disease experts countered that there were no nutritional advantages, and the risks far outweighed any potential benefits.

Raw foods could contain harmful debris, such as bone shards, that could injure pets. Studies had linked raw diets to serious nutritional imbalances, especially when prepared at home. Tests of raw products frequently revealed contamination with harmful viruses and bacteria like salmonella and E. coli. Dr. Weese argued that the idea of raw food being healthier because it mimicked the diets of wild animals was flawed. Domesticated pets had evolved alongside humans and were not the same as their wild counterparts. "The little fluffy dog sitting on your couch is very much removed from a wolf or a fox in terms of its physiology," he said.

The FDA acknowledged that there was no formal definition of "raw" pet food, and while many companies labeled their products as such, it was not required. Some raw products underwent treatments like high-pressure processing, acidification, or irradiation to reduce pathogens, but their effectiveness against viral pathogens like H5N1 was unknown. Northwest Naturals, the brand Acfalle had chosen for Villain, claimed that its high-pressure processing killed harmful germs, but the contamination still occurred. The company expressed condolences to Acfalle but maintained confidence in its quality controls.

After Villain's death, Oregon issued warnings to pet owners about specific lots of Northwest Naturals frozen raw turkey, leading to a recall in 12 states and British Columbia. Los Angeles County also issued an animal health alert after several indoor cats died from consuming raw pet foods. Despite these warnings, some companies, like Monarch Raw Pet Food, continued to deny any links to bird flu.

Raw Farm, the dairy implicated in Journell's case, disputed the claims that its milk caused the infections, arguing that the virus concentration in raw milk dropped after refrigeration. However, studies showed that the bird flu virus remained infectious in milk from infected cows for days. Journell, unaware of the risks until his cats fell ill, believed in the benefits of raw milk but acknowledged the dangers.

Acfalle, too, faced a dilemma. Despite the tragedy of Villain's death, she could not ignore the health benefits she had seen in her dogs when they were on a raw diet. After switching them to dried, heat-treated kibble, she noticed a resurgence of digestive problems. Her dogs were service animals, and their well-being was crucial to their work. Reluctantly, she switched them back to raw food, this time from a different brand. "I still believe in raw feeding," she said, "but it feels like Russian roulette—possibly risking my dog's life because some company is not taking the proper precautions."

The story of Villain and Acfalle's experience serves as a cautionary tale for pet owners. While the allure of raw diets may seem appealing, the risks are real and potentially devastating. As the raw pet food market continues to grow, it is essential for pet owners to carefully consider the safety and reliability of the products they choose. The bond between humans and their pets is profound, and the responsibility to keep them safe is paramount. In the face of emerging pathogens like H5N1, the stakes are higher than ever.