On this Friday the 13th, a day steeped in superstition, black cats often find themselves at the center of myths around bad luck. These cats are symbols of trust, love, and companionship.
This week marks exactly one year since I lost my beloved black cat, to the effects of Zorbium®, an opioid meant to relieve feline pain after surgery but which has left heartbreak in its wake. With nearly 3,000 FDA-reported adverse events and 321 feline deaths reported, and several dogs!, it’s clear that love and trust must be matched careful, informed care for our pets.
This Friday the 13th, let’s rewrite the narrative. Black cats—and all cats—deserve better from those who are entrusted in their care.
March 29, 2024
- Site Launched
October 23, 2025
- Lowest Death Reports: Although this is preliminary, for the first time since Zorbium®’s approval in January 2022, Q2 2025 represents the quarter with the fewest death reports submitted to the FDA. While this may indicate improved awareness among veterinarians about proper dosing protocols, continued vigilance remains critical.
- Black Cat Pattern Discovery: (October 2025) Following over 100 submissions from cat and dog parents, we have identified a concerning pattern: adverse reactions to Zorbium® appear to correlate with coat color. Black cats and black-and-white cats are experiencing disproportionately higher rates of severe adverse events and fatalities compared to other coat colors. We are actively investigating this pattern and reaching out to veterinary pharmacology experts, feline genetics researchers, and academic institutions to further this research. Thank you for trusting us with your stories. For those who have thanked us: your words keep us going.
- FDA FOIA Updates: We continue to submit Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to the FDA regarding Zorbium® safety evaluations, manufacturing records, and regulatory communications. Recent responses have included:
- Positive results: Received additional internal safety evaluation documents (with redactions)
- Challenging results: Some requests denied or heavily redacted under trade secret exemptions
- Ongoing: Additional FOIA requests pending regarding FDA-Elanco communications and post-market surveillance data.
- Medical Alert Tags Available: We are now offering FREE medical alert tags for cats and dogs to help prevent administration of Zorbium® in emergency veterinary situations. These professionally engraved metal tags feature the Rod of Asclepius medical symbol and clear “NO Zorbium®” warnings. Tags are made to order – contact us to request yours.
- Why This Matters: Emergency veterinarians often use buprenorphine for pain management. These tags alert them that your pet should NOT receive Zorbium® helping prevent dangerous drug reactions.
July 17, 2025
- 88 submissions and counting. Your stories continue to build the most comprehensive database of Zorbium® adverse events outside of the FDA.
- Breaking developments: Our latest FOIA analysis has uncovered significant discrepancies in FDA death reporting. While official totals show 301 cat deaths through Q4 2024, we’ve identified a mysterious 266-death report (AER ID: 2025-US-008923) that was excluded from the June FOIA summary. We’ve contacted the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine for clarification.
- The scope keeps expanding: FDA reports continue to include off-species use – even a horse received this cat-only medication, highlighting concerning off-label practices.
- Media momentum continues: Thanks to your courage in sharing these stories, awareness is spreading through veterinary communities and pet owner networks. Every submission matters – you’re building the evidence base that regulators and legal professionals need.
- Thank you for your continued trust in sharing these difficult experiences. Together, we’re demanding transparency and accountability in veterinary drug safety.
April 12, 2025
A full year. Over 70 of your responses and still going! You have helped get news media attention, are helping to track cat color, and managed to spread the word to cat expert, Ingrid King. Your stories are sad, and I’m so sorry. I wish a lawyer would find value here, but until then, we keep spreading the word. Thank you. A new website is coming soon reflecting this data. The word is spreading. Look for a new article Ingrid King
April 12, 2025 ONE YEAR
A full year. Over 70 of your responses and still going! You have helped get news media attention. I am still holding out a lawyer will step up but until then we keep spreading the word.
I must confess that reading your stories has become increasingly difficult for me personally. Each account resonates deeply with my own loss and often brings me to tears. Despite this emotional challenge, I remain committed to documenting your cases and advocating for greater awareness and accountability. Your experiences matter, and they deserve to be heard.
Updated FDA Data:
- 10,000 units sold (Jan 2022 – Dec 2024) *per Elanco, no proof
- 3,177 reported adverse reactions → 31.77% adverse reaction rate
- 282 reported cat deaths → 2.82% death rate (1 in 35 cats)
- Multiple dog deaths → Despite Zorbium® not being approved for dogs
- Unapproved use in animals other than cats
February 24, 2025
- Latest FDA reports from January list another 28 feline fatalities and one dog.
- The Pittsburgh story aired (2/19/25) – Local Woman Raises Concerns About Pain Medication
December 13, 2024
- Interest from a local station in Atlanta.
- Additional FOIA requests have been sent to the DOJ.
- Unfortunately, there isn’t enough money, nor loss, to warrant a lawyer at this time.
- We remain active on social media, collecting names here.
- Our efforts are modeled after the Solensia issue.
October 13, 2024
- FDA 2nd quarter results: 238 cats deceased.
- Department of Justice “Foiled” (9/4/24): The DOJ does not track opioid sales. Who does?
September 29, 2024
- Tragic reports continue to come in. Thank you for supporting us in the fight for justice.
- The site has been updated to direct users to complaint filing forms.
August 31, 2024
- Lawyer inquired if a veterinarian was available to speak. None at this time.
- Journalists contacted (including the NYTimes). No response.
- The Canine Review and The Animal Law Firm also contacted for follow-up. No response.
August 6, 2024
- Additional lawyer reviewing information.
- First quarter FDA results released.
June 18, 2024
- Spoke with a new attorney today.
- 6/22/24 Update: Not enough information to proceed. Cited “Misuse vets.”
June 16, 2024
- Email sent (June 12) to attorneys:
- Michael R. Reese (Reese LLP)
- Rachel Soffin (Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman PLLC)
- Michael Williams (Williams Dirks Dameron LLC)
- No response as of 10/13/24.
April 30, 2024
- Legal team working on scheduling a Zoom meeting to discuss progress.
- Delay expected due to a lawyer being out of the country.
April 9, 2024
Input being received. Thank you for submitting your stories.