Vietnamese authorities have rescued hundreds of cats during a raid on a network suspected of stealing them and then selling the animals to slaughterhouses. According to police reports, nine people were arrested during the operation.
A total of about 400 cats were rescued during the raid, and about 40 of them have already been reunited with their delighted owners. Unsurprisingly, the case has sparked very strong reactions, not only in Vietnam but also internationally, where the trade in dog and cat meat—long a controversial issue—is now being called into question.
The police are continuing their investigation, and animal welfare organisations hope that this operation will lead to stricter measures against the illegal trade in companion animals.