Ho chi minh city: Vietnamese police have dismantled a major cat theft ring, rescuing more than 400 live cats that were about to be slaughtered for sale in the cat meat industry.
According to Thai News Agency, police in Ho Chi Minh City and Tay Ninh province arrested nine suspects who confessed to jointly capturing and collecting cats from various southern provinces for over three years to sell for approximately 70,000 dong per kilogram (about 85 baht). More than 400 cats were rescued, some of which were pregnant and had recently given birth during police custody. In addition to the surviving cats, police also found approximately 80 cat carcasses frozen in freezers, ready for sale.
The international animal welfare organization Humane World for Animals reports that at least 40 cats have been identified and returned to their families. Sadly, however, approximately 100 cats subsequently died from injuries and suffering sustained during captivity. The remaining cats are currently being held at the police station as evidence in the legal proceedings. The animal welfare group is urgently providing food and installing fans to prevent heatstroke and is coordinating their transfer to suitable animal shelters as soon as possible.
Although consuming dog and cat meat is not illegal in Vietnam, as long as sellers have proper documentation certifying the animal’s origin, the main problem stems from the illegal theft of pets from homes using traps or poison. Data from animal welfare groups indicates that approximately 5 million dogs and over 1 million cats are captured, stolen, and smuggled annually for slaughter in Vietnam. However, surveys suggest that attitudes among younger generations and pet owners in Vietnam are changing, with most increasingly opposing and supporting legislation to completely ban the pet meat trade.