Vietnamese authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have rescued over 400 cats believed to be destined for the cat meat trade, in what animal welfare organizations are calling one of the largest seizures of its kind in the country. The raid followed an investigation into reports of stolen pets, uncovering a network involved in collecting cats for illegal sale. Police discovered 45 cages containing live cats, along with 80 deceased cats packed in ice-filled styrofoam boxes. Nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the operation. Many of the rescued animals were found in poor condition, suffering from malnutrition and the stress of transport. Approximately forty cats have been reunited with their owners, while over 260 remain in police care, with some rescued cats having recently given birth in captivity. Animal welfare groups estimate thousands of cats are trafficked for meat consumption each month in Vietnam.