Ho Chi Minh City police arrested 12 men who allegedly stole nearly 2,700 cats in night raids to supply the cat meat trade. Authorities seized fur-removal machines, 55 traps and scales during the investigation. Stolen cats reportedly sell for at least 70,000 dong ($2.70)/kg, and earlier busts this year rescued hundreds of animals, with many suffering or dying in transit. Investigations are ongoing.
Vietnam Police Bust Ring Allegedly Responsible for Theft of Nearly 2,700 Cats for Meat Trade
In June 2026, police rescued over 400 cats in a major bust of a cat meat crime ring in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. / Credit: Humane World for Animals
Ho Chi Minh City police have arrested 12 men accused of carrying out coordinated night raids across residential neighborhoods and stealing nearly 2,700 cats to be sold into the cat meat trade, authorities and state media said.
Investigators seized equipment tied to the alleged operation, including fur-removal machines, 55 cat traps, and measuring scales as part of the probe into the suspected ring. Police say the suspects admitted "to stealing and trafficking approximately 2,700 cats of various types." Criminal proceedings were opened on Sunday, though officials did not specify the exact timing of the arrests.
How the Ring Operated
According to the state-owned Tuoi Tre newspaper, the group split into small teams and used motorbikes to prowl residential streets, typically operating between 11:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. Police estimated each team stole four to 10 cats per night. The network was initially uncovered in July when authorities seized 50 live cats along with dozens of traps and other items.
Market Details and Legal Context
While the consumption of dog and cat meat is legal in Vietnam, vendors are required to display certificates proving the animals' origins. Local media reports indicate stolen cats can fetch at least 70,000 dong (about $2.70) per kilogram when sold to restaurants.
Previous Busts and Animal Welfare Concerns
Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City arrested 18 people earlier this year in connection with two separate cat-stealing operations. In a major June bust, police rescued more than 400 cats and reunited at least 40 with their owners; animal welfare groups reported several cats died due to the harsh conditions in which they were found.
"It was quite an overwhelming sight to see so many cats seized from just a single transport in Vietnam's illicit cat meat trade," said Phuong Tham, country director for Humane World for Animals Viet Nam. "The sad truth about this trade is that thousands of cats every month are being stolen, trafficked and slaughtered for meat across the country, and the fate of most is to end up at a slaughterhouse or restaurant to be killed and eaten."
Police have linked the latest arrests to a broader pattern of thefts and trafficking that animal welfare organizations say remains a widespread problem. Investigations are ongoing as authorities work to determine supply routes and any larger networks involved in the trade.
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