This operation followed an investigation into a series of animal thefts, according to BBC News. This is one of the largest operations to dismantle the cat meat trade that took place in Vietnam, as the media indicated People.
More than 400 cats saved
More than 400 cats held in stacked metal cages were freed during this operation. Several pregnant cats and kittens born after the seizure were among them, according to the Humane World for Animals.
Phuong Pham / Humane World for Animals Viet Nam
“ It was quite an upsetting sight to see so many cats seized in a single transport as part of the illegal cat meat trade in Vietnam. “, declared Phuong Thamnational director of Humane World for Animals Vietnam. Hundreds of cats survived after the seizure, but some died due to the conditions in which they had lived.
“ Many of the cats appeared thin and weak, and it was evident that they had suffered a physical and mental ordeal from which they are now, fortunately, lucky to recover.. There were several pregnant cats as well as tiny kittens born overnight while in police custody », specified Phuong Tham
Around forty cats have already found their owners
260 cats were placed under the control of the judicial police of Ho Chi Minh Cityin a temporary establishment, while around forty were able to find their owners who had reported their disappearance.
9 people arrested
According to a report from BBC News citing theAFP9 people were arrested as part of the investigation. They were apparently part of a group specializing in stealing and collecting cats.
“ The sad reality of this trade is that every month, thousands of cats are stolen, trafficked and slaughtered for meat across the country, and most end up in a slaughterhouse or restaurant to be killed and consumed. », declared Phuong Tham. “ Fortunately, these survivors escaped this fate, but this significant seizure and the rapid intervention of the police constitute a welcome step forward in the fight against this trade, which sorely needs it. »
An operation, therefore, which draws attention to the scale of the cat trade in Vietnam and changing mentalities regarding animal welfare.
Phuong Pham / Humane World for Animals Viet Nam
“A sobering reminder of the sheer scale of the cat meat trade in Vietnam. »
What was also emphasized by the Dr. Karanvir Kukrejaresponsible for the campaign “ Ending Dog and Cat Meat » (End the consumption of dog and cat meat) at Humane World for Animals. ” Lhe seizure of hundreds of cats by Ho Chi Minh City police is both a sobering reminder of the sheer scale of the cat meat trade in Vietnam, as well as a very clear demonstration of the changing attitudes within the country towards this cruel and dangerous trade, and the fact that pet theft is now recognized as a major problem. »
To date, efforts continue to return the stolen cats to their owners, while the others, placed under police protection as part of the legal procedure, are taken care of by animal protection associations.
“ We hope that it will soon be possible to transfer them to a specially designed center to ensure their long-term care, and we thank the police and the Vietnamese government for the measures taken so far. »
Phuong Pham / Humane World for Animals Viet Nam
Woopets info: what about the consumption of cat meat in Vietnam?
In Vietnam, the consumption of cat meat, like that of dogs, is legal. Many restaurants therefore offer this meat on their menus. However, sellers must have “ certificates proving the origin of the animals », as well as the site 30 Million friends reminded him.