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Vietnam police rescue hundreds of cats stolen for meat by animal crime ring
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Vietnam police rescue hundreds of cats stolen for meat by animal crime ring

The Guardian · Jun 17, 2026, 9:39 AM · Also reported by 2 other sources

Key takeaways

  • Police discovered 45 cages containing about 400 live cats, and 21 others at a separate location.
  • Prefer the Guardian on GooglePolice in Vietnam have rescued more than 400 cats in a major bust of a cat meat crime ring in Ho Chi Minh City, according to animal welfare groups and local media reports.
  • More than 40 cats were reunited with their owners after the multiday operation last week, but several dozen of those rescued have died due to the harsh conditions that they were found in, the groups said.

Why this matters: a developing story that could shape the day's news cycle.

Police discovered 45 cages containing about 400 live cats, and 21 others at a separate location. About 80 cats were found dead. Photograph: Phuong Pham/Humane World for Animals Viet Nam/APView image in fullscreen Police discovered 45 cages containing about 400 live cats, and 21 others at a separate location. About 80 cats were found dead. Photograph: Phuong Pham/Humane World for Animals Viet Nam/APVietnam Vietnam police rescue hundreds of cats stolen for meat by animal crime ring Major operation launched after spate of pet thefts in Ho Chi Minh City, according to local media

Prefer the Guardian on GooglePolice in Vietnam have rescued more than 400 cats in a major bust of a cat meat crime ring in Ho Chi Minh City, according to animal welfare groups and local media reports.

More than 40 cats were reunited with their owners after the multiday operation last week, but several dozen of those rescued have died due to the harsh conditions that they were found in, the groups said.

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