Police rescue hundreds of cats in Vietnam theft bust
HANOI, June 17: Police in Ho Chi Minh City have dismantled a major cat meat trafficking ring and rescued more than 500 cats in what animal welfare groups describe as one of the country’s largest cat welfare operations in recent years.
The investigation began after authorities looked into a series of pet thefts in the city. Police eventually traced the crimes to an organised network involved in stealing and trafficking cats for the meat trade.
During raids conducted over several days, officers detained nine suspects and discovered dozens of cages containing hundreds of live cats. They also found containers holding dead cats packed in ice.
According to local authorities, around 400 live cats were found in 45 cages, while an additional 21 live cats were rescued from another location. More than 80 dead cats were also recovered. Although over 40 rescued cats have since been reunited with their owners, animal welfare organisations reported that roughly 100 animals died due to poor health and the harsh conditions in which they had been confined.
Investigators said the suspects admitted to trapping and collecting cats across southern Vietnam over the past three years, including in Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces of Tay Ninh and An Giang. The operation highlighted the scale of the illegal pet theft network that supplies Vietnam’s cat meat trade.
Animal welfare advocates described the case as both encouraging and heartbreaking. Volunteers and veterinarians have been working continuously to care for the rescued animals, while many families searched shelters hoping to find missing pets. Some owners were reunited with their cats, while others discovered their animals had not survived.
The case has also renewed debate about the consumption of dog and cat meat in Vietnam. While the practice remains legal, vendors are required to have permits proving the animals’ origins. Animal welfare groups estimate that millions of dogs and cats are stolen or captured each year for human consumption.
Following South Korea’s ban on dog meat in 2024, Vietnamese authorities announced plans to strengthen legal protections for pets and pet owners. Activists say the recent rescue operation has increased public awareness and could encourage greater opposition to the cat meat trade in Vietnam. (AP)
