“I was truly surprised. I never imagined I would find both of my cats at the same time. I would like to thank Ho Chi Minh City police for giving me the chance to see them again,” Quach Thi Lan Anh said.
On June 12, Ho Chi Minh City Police, in coordination with veterinary clinics, continued caring for approximately 400 cats rescued during a crackdown on a pet theft ring and its distribution network.
A cat receives fluids from veterinary staff (Photo: Le Trai).
The animals are currently being housed at the Criminal Police Division headquarters on Hanoi Highway. Officers have provided food, water and larger cages, while installing cooling fans to help the cats cope with the heat.
Police said they are working with veterinary professionals to ensure the animals receive proper care and to facilitate the identification and return of pets to their owners.
Veterinary teams assist exhausted animals
After learning about the rescue operation, Hoang Thuan, a 38-year-old veterinary worker from Ho Chi Minh City, visited the site hoping to find his missing cat.
Thuan said the cat had been given to him by a client and had become a beloved companion. About a month ago, the animal disappeared. Despite searching extensively, posting notices online and distributing flyers, he was unable to locate it.
“I came here with a lot of hope, but unfortunately I could not find my cat,” he said.
Thuan helps care for the cats (Photo: Le Trai).
Although unsuccessful in finding his pet, Thuan stayed to help officers and veterinarians care for the rescued animals, many of which were suffering from dehydration and exhaustion after being confined in crowded cages.
“Many of the cats became severely dehydrated because of the heat. We are administering fluids and nutritional support to help them recover,” he said.
Veterinary staff also discovered two newborn kittens inside one of the cages. One had already died, while the other was in critical condition. The surviving kitten received emergency care and was fed milk to keep it alive.
With hundreds of animals requiring attention, veterinary teams worked around the clock, while police purchased additional cages to reduce overcrowding and improve conditions.
Emotional reunions
Dozens of pet owners arrived at the police headquarters throughout the day to search for missing animals.
Among them was Lan Anh, who experienced one of the happiest outcomes after identifying both of her cats, which had disappeared about a month earlier.
She said she had spent weeks searching for them, even visiting slaughterhouses in the hope of finding clues.
After confirming their identities, she quickly completed the necessary procedures and took the cats home.
Lan Anh was fortunate to find her pet cats (Photo: Le Trai).
“I am still shocked. I never thought I would find both of them. I sincerely thank the police for dismantling this theft ring and giving me the opportunity to reunite with my pets,” she said.
Not everyone was as fortunate. Tuan Minh, whose British Shorthair cat disappeared about two weeks ago, was unable to find his pet among the rescued animals.
“I have been very upset since my cat went missing. I just hope it was rescued somewhere and is still alive,” he said.
Many people waited anxiously to identify the cats (Photo: Le Trai).
Hundreds of cats rescued
Police recently dismantled a large scale network allegedly responsible for stealing and collecting cats across multiple localities over the past three years.
Investigators said the suspects trapped or stole cats, kept them in cages until enough animals were collected, and then sold them for about VND 70,000 per kilogramme. Transactions reportedly took place every two to three days.
The animals were later transported to a parking facility in Tay Ninh Province for further distribution.
Based on suspects' statements, police raided the site and discovered 45 cages containing approximately 400 live cats. Officers also seized four foam containers holding about 80 dead cats preserved with ice and intended for sale. An additional 21 cats were recovered from another location in Linh Xuan Ward.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue identifying owners and determining the roles of those involved in the operation.