Vietnam’s cat meat trade exposed: Hundreds stolen, slaughtered — and now rescued

Vietnam police have cracked one of the country’s largest cat meat rings, seizing more than 500 cats — including roughly 80 found dead on ice — in a series of raids in Ho Chi Minh City.

Officers uncovered 45 cages packed with live cats and arrested nine people suspected of stealing and slaughtering felines for meat. Suspects admitted to trapping cats across southern Vietnam over three years. A kilogram of cat meat sold for the equivalent of about $2.70.

Since the operation, veterinarians and volunteers have worked around the clock at a temporary rescue center set up at the Ho Chi Minh City Criminal Police Division. At least 40 cats have been reunited with their owners.

“It’s really beautiful to see how many Vietnamese families are coming, looking for their cats,” said Chris Gindelhumer, with the nonprofit Vietnam Cat Welfare. “But it’s also heartbreaking because many families were looking for their cats and didn’t find them.”

Several of the rescued cats were pregnant, with kittens born in police custody this week.

“Thousands of cats every month are being stolen, trafficked and slaughtered for meat across the country,” said Phuong Pham, Vietnam country director for Humane World for Animals. “Thankfully, these survivors escaped.”

Cat and dog meat consumption is currently legal in Vietnam, though the government has signaled plans to strengthen animal protection laws.

Read more:

• Police rescue more than 400 cats from being eaten in Vietnam in a bust of a major animal theft ring