Vietnamese police have rescued more than 400 cats from a significant cat meat trafficking operation in Ho Chi Minh City. Reports from animal welfare organizations and local media confirm that the operation took place last week and led to the reunification of over 40 rescued cats with their owners.
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However, several dozen of the animals succumbed due to the poor conditions they endured before being rescued. Karanvir Kukreja, who heads a campaign against the consumption of dog and cat meat for the Humane World for Animals, noted that this event highlights the alarming extent of Vietnam's cat meat trade.
The operation followed an investigation into a series of pet thefts, which enabled authorities to locate the cat meat ring. Nine individuals have been detained in connection with the operation. Police found 45 cages containing around 400 live cats, along with four foam containers filled with approximately 80 dead cats. In total, more than 500 cats were taken into custody, making this one of the most significant cat welfare cases in recent years.
The suspects reportedly admitted to capturing and collecting cats across southern Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh, and An Giang, over the last three years. Phuong Pham, country director of Humane World for Animals in Vietnam, expressed the gravity of the situation, stating that thousands of cats are stolen, trafficked, and slaughtered each month in the country. She also mentioned that several of the rescued cats were pregnant, resulting in the birth of kittens in police custody.
Chris Gindelhumer from Vietnam Cat Welfare, which is assisting in the care of the rescued animals, noted both the emotional impact of the situation on families searching for their cats and the dedication of veterinarians and volunteers working tirelessly to aid the animals.
While the consumption of dog and cat meat is legal in Vietnam, vendors are required to possess permits to verify the animals' origins. Some cities, like Hoi An, have begun collaborating with global animal welfare organizations to discontinue the practice. Following South Korea's decision to ban dog meat in 2024, Vietnamese officials have indicated that they may implement changes to the legal framework to better protect pets and their owners' rights. An Pham, a master's student and cat enthusiast in Ho Chi Minh City, remarked that the recent event has significantly raised awareness and prompted discussions about ceasing cat meat consumption.