Vietnamese police rescue over 400 cats in major bust of organized meat trade ring

Police in Ho Chi Minh City conducted a significant operation last week that rescued more than 400 cats destined for the illegal meat trade, marking one of Vietnam's largest cat welfare cases in recent years. During raids on multiple locations, authorities discovered approximately 400 live cats in 45 cages at one facility and around 80 dead cats in ice-filled containers. An additional 20 live cats were recovered at a separate location, bringing the total seized to over 500 animals. Nine suspects were arrested in connection with the investigation, which revealed an organized network that had been trapping and trafficking cats across southern Vietnam—including Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh, and An Giang—over the past three years.

The rescued animals have received immediate care from veterinarians and volunteers at a temporary rescue center established at a facility run by the Ho Chi Minh City Criminal Police Division. At least 40 cats have been reunited with their owners, who were able to identify their pets at the police station. However, several animals died due to the harsh conditions of captivity, and some of the rescued cats were pregnant, with kittens subsequently born in police custody. The operation revealed that cat meat was being sold for approximately 70,000 Vietnamese dong (around $2.70) per kilogram.

The bust has sparked increased public awareness about Vietnam's cat meat trade and prompted discussions about potential legal reforms. International animal welfare organizations, including Humane World for Animals and Vietnam Cat Welfare, have described the operation as a "sobering reminder of the enormous scale" of the illegal trade, which involves thousands of cats being stolen, trafficked, and slaughtered monthly across the country. While consumption of dog and cat meat remains legal in Vietnam and requires vendors to have permits validating the animals' origins, certain cities like Hoi An are working with global animal welfare groups to end the practice. Following South Korea's 2024 ban on dog meat, Vietnamese officials have signaled plans to rebuild parts of the legal system to better protect pets and the rights of their owners, with local residents expressing renewed commitment to stopping cat meat consumption.