HO CHI MINH CITY — Vietnamese police rescued more than 400 cats stolen for the meat trade in a major operation last week, detaining nine suspects in connection with an alleged theft ring, authorities and animal welfare groups said.
Officers raided sites in Ho Chi Minh City and Tay Ninh Province on June 11, discovering around 400 live cats in 45 cages and approximately 80 dead cats preserved on ice, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Criminal Police Division. Twenty-one additional live cats were recovered at a separate location.
The operation followed an investigation into a spate of pet thefts in Ho Chi Minh City, local media reported. The suspects are accused of operating the ring for nearly three years, stealing cats and supplying them to meat traders.
Humane World for Animals Viet Nam, which assisted with the rescued animals, described the bust as one of the largest recent cases highlighting the scale of the cat meat trade in the country. The group said the incident serves as a reminder of the trade's extent.
Animal welfare volunteers provided care for the surviving cats amid hot conditions. Some animals died from dehydration and stress after the rescue, though more than 40 have been reunited with their owners who reported them stolen, according to reports.
Details about the exact number of cats that died post-rescue and the full condition of the animals remain unclear. Survivors are being held as evidence while police encourage owners to check for matches.
Cat meat consumption is not uncommon in parts of Vietnam, though animal welfare advocates have long campaigned against the trade. The operation comes amid growing public concern over pet thefts for such purposes.
A representative from Humane World for Animals Viet Nam said in a statement that the case underscores ongoing challenges. "This operation is a sobering reminder of the enormous scale of Vietnam's cat meat trade," the group noted.
As of Thursday, the investigation was continuing, with no further details released on potential charges or the suspects' backgrounds, police said. The cats' long-term care and adoption process is underway with support from welfare organizations.
