Every year, hundreds of pets—especially kittens—spend extra time in the shelter because they have ringworm. While the name might sound scary, ringworm is simply a common fungal infection. It’s highly contagious to both animals and people, but it’s also completely treatable with the right care.

At The Animal Foundation, we believe pets with ringworm deserve just as much love as any other animal. If you’re ready to help the pets who need it most, adopting a cat or kitten with ringworm is one of the most impactful ways to open your home and heart.

What is Ringworm?

Despite the name, ringworm isn’t a worm at all—it’s a fungus. The infection spreads through tiny fungal spores, which can live on hair, bedding, brushes, clothing, or other objects.

Contagious to pets and people: Because ringworm is zoonotic, it can spread to humans. For this reason, we don’t recommend close contact between ringworm-positive animals and people with suppressed immune systems.

Visible signs: Ring-shaped hair loss, scaly patches, or brittle fur.

The good news: With proper care, ringworm clears up completely.

Caring for a Pet with Ringworm

To help your new pet heal—and keep your family safe—it’s important to follow a few simple care guidelines.

Create a Ringworm-Safe Space

• Wash bedding, blankets, and toys weekly in a bleach cycle.
• Keep your pet in a room that’s easy to disinfect (like a tiled bathroom).
• Clean the space twice a week with a 1:10 diluted bleach solution. Let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing.

Ringworm Topical Therapy

Along with oral medications, your pet will need medicated baths twice a week. This helps remove fungal spores from the coat. Repeat these baths every 3–4 days until your veterinarian advises otherwise.

Perform the bath in a well-ventilated area.

Make sure your pet is secure so they don’t escape mid-bath.

Remove jewelry or valuables.

Dilute Miconahex+Triz Shampoo 1:1 with water.

Lather over the entire coat, then rinse thoroughly.

Wrap your pet in a towel to prevent licking.

Safety Reminder

Because ringworm can spread, always:

• Wash your hands after handling your pet.
  
• Disinfect shared spaces and surfaces.
  
• Keep ringworm-positive pets separate from other animals until treatment is complete.
  

The Animal Foundation is not responsible for the cost of treatment if your pet transmits ringworm to people or other pets.

Why adopt a pet with ringworm?

While contagious, ringworm is temporary and completely treatable. Sadly, many cats and kittens spend extra time in shelters simply because of this diagnosis.

To help these pets find homes, we waive the adoption fee, send you home with the medications needed for treatment, and provide ongoing support and guidance so you can succeed.

Adopting or fostering a pet with ringworm doesn’t just save a life—it gives a waiting animal the chance to leave the shelter sooner and begin their new life with you.