Vietnamese authorities have arrested 12 men accused of operating a trafficking ring that stole approximately 2,700 cats in Ho Chi Minh City to sell for meat. The group reportedly carried out their activities at night, dividing into smaller teams to steal between four and 10 cats per outing using fish as bait and setting traps.

The criminal network was uncovered following a police raid in July, during which officers confiscated 50 cats, along with 55 traps and equipment used for fur removal. Luu Thanh Binh, identified by police as the ring leader, admitted not only to stealing cats but also purchasing some from independent sellers. Of the cats rescued during the raid, 13 have been returned to their owners, while the remaining animals were transferred to HavePaws, a local animal shelter. The shelter reported on social media that efforts are ongoing to reunite additional cats with their owners.

In Vietnam, the consumption of cat and dog meat remains legal but is regulated, requiring vendors to obtain certificates verifying the animals’ origins. Dogs and cats are legally classified as private property, making theft punishable by prison sentences ranging from six to 36 months. Earlier in June, police in Ho Chi Minh City seized over 400 cats intended for consumption.

Vietnam is among a small number of countries where eating cat meat is legal, although the practice is increasingly restricted. According to data from 2023, about 21 percent of the Vietnamese population consume cat meat, while dog meat is consumed by nearly 40 percent. These traditions, linked historically to wartime scarcity and poverty, persist despite growing public opposition; a recent survey indicated that 71 percent of Vietnamese now oppose eating cats.

Animal welfare organizations note that the illegal pet trade often involves cruel methods. Approximately five million dogs and one million cats are stolen, trafficked, and slaughtered annually for meat in Vietnam. Traffickers typically use poisoned bait, tasers, iron pincers, and spring-loaded snares to capture animals.

The rising awareness of animal rights has sparked increased enforcement and public backlash against the consumption and trade of pet meat, signaling a potential shift in longstanding cultural practices in Vietnam.