Hundreds of Cats Rescued by Police in Vietnam After Alleged Theft for Meat, Welfare Group Says
Police in southern Vietnam say suspects have admitted to trapping and collecting cats across the region over the past three years in an alleged theft and trafficking operation that supplied traders on a regular basis. Investigators said the group transported the stolen cats to holding facilities before reselling them, with transactions reportedly occurring every two to three days.
Authorities described the case as part of a broader illegal animal collection network that targeted cats in multiple areas of southern Vietnam. The suspects were reportedly involved in gathering animals over an extended period, suggesting an organized pattern rather than isolated incidents. Police said the admissions were made during the course of the investigation, which is still examining the scale of the operation and the number of animals involved.
According to investigators, the cats were first trapped or taken from different locations and then moved to temporary holding sites. From there, they were allegedly sold onward to traders who handled the next stage of distribution. The repeated nature of the transactions, occurring every few days, indicates a steady supply chain and a continuing market for the animals.
The case has drawn attention because it points to the persistence of illegal animal trafficking practices in the region. While the exact destination and final use of the cats were not detailed in the information provided, police said the suspects’ actions involved the collection, storage, and sale of stolen animals over a three-year period. Investigators are continuing to determine how the network operated and whether other individuals were involved.
The alleged operation appears to have depended on a system of frequent transfers between the people who trapped the cats, those who kept them in holding facilities, and the traders who purchased them. Such arrangements can make enforcement more difficult, especially when transactions happen quickly and regularly. Police said the suspects’ admissions have helped clarify how the scheme functioned.
Authorities have not publicly released the identities of the suspects in the information provided. They are continuing their work to establish the full extent of the alleged activity, including where the cats were taken from, how many were collected, and who received them after the sales. The investigation remains ongoing.
The case highlights concerns about animal theft and trafficking in parts of Vietnam, where enforcement agencies periodically uncover illegal collection and resale networks. Police said the suspects admitted their role in the operation over a period of three years, with cats allegedly gathered across southern Vietnam and sold through traders in a recurring cycle.
