Major Bust of Cat Meat Gang in Ho Chi Minh City
HANOI — Recent reports indicate that Vietnamese authorities have taken over 400 cats from a cat meat gang operating in Ho Chi Minh City, as highlighted by animal rights advocates and local media.
During the operation, which lasted multiple days, more than 40 of the rescued cats were reunited with their owners. Unfortunately, about 100 others did not survive due to the poor conditions in which they were kept, according to the organization involved.
Karanvir Kukreja, who leads the anti-dog-and-cat-meat campaign at the nonprofit Humane World for Animals, stated that this event serves as a “sobering reminder” of the extensive cat meat trade in Vietnam.
Authorities tracked down the criminal network behind this cat meat operation, arresting nine individuals connected to a rise in pet thefts in the city.
The Ho Chi Minh City Criminal Police Department reported discovering 45 cages with roughly 400 live cats, as well as four containers filled with ice that held about 80 deceased cats. An additional 21 live cats were found at another site.
In total, over 500 cats were seized, marking this as one of the largest rescue operations for cats in the country in recent years.
Police indicated that the suspects had been capturing and collecting cats in various areas across southern Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh City, and An Giang City, for the past three years.
Kukreja mentioned that millions of animals in Vietnam fall prey to dog and cat thieves who take pets from streets or from families, ultimately using them for food.
“I’ve witnessed a lot of tears over these past few days,” shared Chris Gindelhumer from Vietnam Cat Welfare, an organization dedicated to helping rescued animals.
“It’s truly remarkable to see how many families in Vietnam come searching for their cats,” he added. “Yet, it’s also heartbreaking to see families who can’t find their beloved pets.”
Gindelhumer noted that many veterinarians and volunteers are tirelessly working to care for the rescued cats.
While the consumption of dog and cat meat is legal in Vietnam, sellers are required to obtain permits that verify the animals’ origins. However, some cities, like Hoi An, are collaborating with animal rights organizations to eliminate the consumption of such meat.
In light of South Korea banning dog meat in 2024, Vietnamese officials have mentioned plans to reform parts of the legal framework to better protect pets and their owners’ rights.
“This incident has caught many people off guard and has heightened awareness about the consumption of cat meat,” commented Anh Pham, a master’s student and cat enthusiast residing in Ho Chi Minh City.
