Vietnam Police Rescue 400 Cats from Slaughter: A Crackdown on Animal Theft

Wed Jun 17 2026 10:16:04 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Hundreds of stolen cats were rescued, and a criminal ring dismantled, sparking discussion on pet theft and meat consumption in Vietnam.

Police in Vietnam dismantled a feline theft ring, rescuing over 400 cats slated for slaughter and arresting nine suspects. The crackdown highlighted the scale of animal theft for meat, with roughly 5 million dogs and 1 million cats trafficked each year. Humane World for Animals praised the decisive action but noted that some rescued cats later died. Public opinion is shifting, with many younger pet owners now opposing cat and dog meat trade.

Hundreds of Cats Stolen for Food in Vietnam Rescued by Police, Welfare Group Says

In a sweeping operation by Ho Chi Minh City police, more than 400 cats that had been earmarked for slaughter were seized from a clandestine theft ring, according to the animal‑welfare organisation Humane World for Animals.

Nine suspects were arrested on 11 June after investigators traced the group’s activities—a “criminal organisation specialising in stealing and collecting cats” operating over the past three years. The suspects allegedly transported stolen felines across southern Vietnam, holding them in covert facilities before selling them to traders every two to three days.

During the raids in Tay Ninh Province and Ho Chi Minh City, police recovered more than 400 live cats and around 80 dead animals preserved on ice; an additional 21 cats were seized at a separate site.

A humanitarian report notes that about 40 of the recovered cats have been reunited with their original owners. Humane World for Animals welcomed police action, calling it decisive, but reported that some rescued cats later died during their ordeal. The group is also providing food and other supplies for animals still held as evidence.

While Vietnam permits the consumption of dog and cat meat, vendors must hold permits that verify the animals’ origin. Yet the industry remains sizable: an estimated five million dogs and one million cats are seized, trafficked, or slaughtered for meat each year in the country.

Despite the legal status, attitudes are shifting. A 2023 survey by Humane World for Animals shows growing public opposition—especially among younger people and pet owners—toward the dog‑ and cat‑meat trade, with a majority backing bans on both.

The police investigation remains ongoing, and authorities urge residents who believe their pets have been stolen to come forward to help identify recovered animals.