Police in Ho Chi Minh City raided a facility on June 11, seizing more than 500 cats in total, including about 400 live animals, and arresting nine suspects tied to an interprovincial cat-theft and meat ring. Investigators say the group had been stealing and trafficking cats for roughly three years, selling them every few days at around 70,000 VND (£1.98) per kilogram. Humane World for Animals reported more than 40 cats were returned to owners and warned the national scale of the trade is large, with an estimated one million cats and five million dogs affected annually. Authorities urge missing-pet owners to contact police.
Ho Chi Minh City Raid Rescues More Than 400 Cats As Police Bust Interprovincial Meat Ring
Humane World for Animals Vietnam picture shows cats saved by police in Ho Chi Minh City - Phuong Pham
Police in Ho Chi Minh City say a raid on June 11 rescued more than 400 live cats that were being held for slaughter and sale, in what authorities described as one of the largest operations of its kind in recent Vietnamese history.
Officers uncovered 45 cages containing about 400 live cats and four containers holding roughly 80 dead animals at the primary site. A further 21 cats were found at a separate location elsewhere in the city, bringing the total seized to more than 500.
Nine people were arrested in connection with what police called an interprovincial criminal group that had been stealing and collecting cats for around three years. Investigators say the suspects admitted to taking animals across several provinces and confining them in cages until a large enough number could be sold, typically every two to three days. Officials reported the animals were sold for about 70,000 VND (£1.98) per kilogram.
The cats had been through a physical and mental ordeal, say campaigners
Welfare Concerns and Reunions
The welfare organisation Humane World for Animals said more than 40 cats were returned to their owners following the raid. Phuong Pham, the group's Vietnam director, described many of the rescued cats as thin, weak and showing signs of both physical and psychological trauma, but said they now have a chance to recover.
'Many of the cats looked thin and weak, and it was clear to see they had been through a physical and mental ordeal from which now thankfully they have a chance to recover,' said Phuong Pham.
While the sale and consumption of cat and dog meat remain legal in Vietnam, suppliers are required to provide proof of origin. Authorities have urged people missing pets to contact police so animals can be reclaimed and to assist with the ongoing investigation.
Scale of The Trade
Humane World for Animals warned the problem is widespread: the group estimates that roughly one million cats and five million dogs are stolen, trafficked and slaughtered nationally each year for meat. Dr Karanvir Kukreja, who leads the Ending Dog and Cat Meat campaign at the organisation, said the seizure highlights both the enormous scale of the trade and changing attitudes in Vietnam as pet theft and the meat industry gain greater scrutiny.
'The seizure of hundreds of cats by Ho Chi Minh City police is both a sobering reminder of the enormous scale of Vietnam's cat meat trade as well as a very clear demonstration of how attitudes within the country are changing to this cruel and dangerous trade and pet theft is being recognised as a significant issue,' said Dr Karanvir Kukreja.
Police continue to investigate the network and have asked anyone missing a cat to come forward to help reunite pets with their owners and support prosecutions.
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