Vietnam police rescue over 400 cats from theft ring supplying meat trade in Ho Chi Minh City

Police in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, rescued over 400 cats and arrested nine people, dismantling a major theft ring supplying the cat meat trade. Over 500 cats were seized, including 80 found dead, though about 100 rescued animals later died. The bust highlights the scale of a trade that kills an estimated one million cats annually, even as Vietnam's government signals plans to strengthen animal protection laws.

Cat theft ring bust

• ▪The police investigation was prompted by a recent increase in pet thefts in Ho Chi Minh City
• ▪Nine people were arrested in connection with the cat theft ring
• ▪Police in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, dismantled a major criminal ring that was stealing cats to supply the meat trade
• ▪The ring operated in Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces of Tay Ninh and An Giang
• ▪A kilogram of cat meat was sold by the ring for approximately 70,000 Vietnamese dong ($2.70)
• ▪The arrested suspects admitted to trapping and collecting cats across southern Vietnam for the past three years

Cat meat trade scale

• ▪According to Humane World for Animals, an estimated one million cats are captured and slaughtered for meat in Vietnam annually
• ▪A 2023 survey found growing public opposition in Vietnam to the dog and cat meat trades, particularly among younger people
• ▪Humane World for Animals stated that thousands of cats are stolen and slaughtered for meat across Vietnam every month

Rescue operation for cats

• ▪An additional 21 live cats were recovered at a separate facility
• ▪Police discovered approximately 400 live cats in 45 cages and around 80 dead cats stored on ice
• ▪At least 40 of the rescued cats have been reunited with their owners
• ▪Around 100 of the rescued cats died following the rescue due to the harsh conditions in which they were kept
• ▪During the raids, police seized a total of more than 500 cats

Animal welfare volunteer response

• ▪The organization Humane World for Animals is providing food and supplies for the cats being held as evidence by police
• ▪Veterinarians and volunteers from groups like Vietnam Cat Welfare have been working to care for the rescued animals
• ▪A temporary rescue center for the cats was set up at a facility of the Ho Chi Minh City Criminal Police Division

Vietnam pet protection laws

• ▪The Vietnamese government has signaled plans to reform laws to better protect pets, following South Korea's 2024 ban on dog meat
• ▪Vendors of dog and cat meat in Vietnam are required to have permits that show the origin of the animals
• ▪Some Vietnamese cities, such as Hoi An, are working with animal welfare groups to end the consumption of dog and cat meat