Hundreds of cats stolen for meat rescued by police in Vietnam

Nine people have been arrested after more than 400 cats destined for slaughter were rescued in Vietnam.

The operation is being seen as a major crackdown on an alleged cat meat crime ring in the country.

However, welfare groups fear there are still thousands of cats "being stolen, trafficked and slaughtered for meat" every month.

Police said the suspects admitted to trapping and collecting cats across south Vietnam over the past three years.

Officers launched an investigation into a spate of pet thefts in Ho Chi Minh City in southeastern Vietnam, according to local media and animal groups.

They found 45 cages containing around 400 live cats and four ice-filled foam containers holding around 80 dead cats.

Another 21 cats were found alive at a separate location, authorities said.

With a total of more than 500 cats seized, it was reportedly one of Vietnam's largest cat welfare cases in recent years.

More than 40 of the rescued cats have been reunited with their owners, according to welfare groups.

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Phuong Pham, of the Humane World For Animals in Vietnam, said: "The sad truth about this trade is that thousands of cats every month are being stolen, trafficked and slaughtered for meat across the country.

"Thankfully, these survivors escaped."

Several of the rescued cats were pregnant, leading to kittens being born while in the care of the police, she added.

Chris Gindelhumer, of Vietnam Cat Welfare, said: "It's really beautiful to see how many Vietnamese families are coming, looking for their cats.

"But it's also heartbreaking because many families were looking for their cats and didn't find them."

Consumption of dog and cat meat is legal in Vietnam, but vendors must have valid permits to show the origin of the animals.

Several cities are working with animal welfare groups to stop dog and cat meat being consumed, while government officials are said to be exploring ways to better protect pets.

An estimated five million dogs and one million cats are "captured, stolen, trafficked and brutally slaughtered" for their meat every year in Vietnam, the Humane World For Animals said.

A poll commissioned by the group in 2023 showed nearly 40% of Vietnam's population consumes dog meat, while 21% eat cat meat.

But the group also said there was growing opposition to the trade, which it added continues to pose "significant public health risks, especially concerning the spread of rabies".

(c) Sky News 2026: Hundreds of cats stolen for meat rescued by police in Vietnam