Ho Chi Minh police rescue 400 cats, arrest nine

In a major law enforcement operation, authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have dismantled a large-scale criminal network accused of stealing and trafficking domestic cats for the meat trade. The raid, which occurred recently, resulted in the rescue of more than 400 live cats and the arrest of nine suspects. The operation also uncovered 80 dead cats preserved on ice and led to the seizure of 21 additional animals from a separate facility.

According to officials, the syndicate had been operating for approximately three years, systematically luring and trapping cats from neighborhoods across southern Vietnam. The animals were reportedly stockpiled in cramped conditions before being sold to regional vendors for about 70,000 Vietnamese dong per kilogram, with mass transactions coordinated every two to three days. The cats were destined for slaughterhouses supplying the illicit cat meat market.

The physical condition of the rescued animals highlighted the severe cruelty of the trade. Welfare workers described a scene of highly distressed, malnourished, and dehydrated pets. Despite emergency veterinary intervention, including the installation of industrial fans to combat overheating,...