Vietnam Police Bust Cat Theft Ring
Is Vietnam's cat meat trade finally being tackled or does one bust barely scratch the surface?
Above: A cat from a rescue facility in Hanoi, Vietnam on Aug. 7, 2020. Image credit: STR/Stringer/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Vietnam's cat meat trade is a massive, ongoing crisis — an estimated one million cats are stolen, trafficked and slaughtered every year. Growing public opposition makes a full ban on the cat meat trade not just possible but necessary to protect these innocent animals.
Narrative B
Addressing Vietnam's cat meat trade goes beyond care for the animals themselves. It requires a whole-of-society approach, including family-based job retraining programs to support success in a more digital economy. A full solution must also center on transitioning former workers in this sector to a brighter future.