In a recent operation, police in China successfully rescued more than 1,000 cats that were being transported to be served as pork and lamb skewers and sausages. Acting on a tip from animal welfare activists, the police intercepted a truck carrying the felines in the city of Zhangjiagang. The cats were then moved to a shelter for their safety.
This rescue not only brought attention to the issue of animal cruelty but also raised concerns regarding food safety. The illicit trade of cat meat discovered during the operation highlights the need for stricter inspections in the food industry.
Cats have been found to fetch a price of 4.5 yuan ($0.61) per catty, which is approximately 600 grams. With one cat yielding four to five catties, it is clear that the trade of cat meat is prolific in certain areas of China.
There is still ambiguity regarding whether the rescued cats were strays or pets. However, the fact that they were being transported in wooden boxes suggests that they may have been captured from the streets.
Animal activists in Zhangjiagang had noticed a large number of cats being held in nailed-up wooden boxes in a cemetery. Suspicious of their well-being, these activists monitored the situation for six days before taking action. When the cats were loaded onto a truck on October 12th, they immediately alerted the police, who then halted the vehicle.
This story, published on The Paper, received an overwhelming response on China’s social media platform, Weibo. Many users expressed anger and demanded stricter regulations in the food industry to prevent such incidents. Comments ranged from calls for the punishment and demise of those responsible to pleas for laws that protect animals. Some users even vowed to stop eating barbeque meat outside altogether.
This comes in the wake of a similar incident in June, where a student found a rat’s head in his meal at a college in Jiangsu province. Initially, school authorities attempted to deny the presence of the rat’s head, claiming it was duck meat. However, they were later forced to admit the truth.
Instances like these highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in the Chinese food industry. The public is demanding that stronger measures be put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of both animals and consumers.
Chinese society has started to take steps in the right direction, with a city in China recently banning the consumption of cats and dogs. However, more comprehensive legislation and enforcement are needed to protect these animals from being victims of illicit trade.
The recent rescue operation serves as a wake-up call for China and the international community to address the issues surrounding the trade and consumption of cat meat. Efforts should be made to raise awareness, strengthen animal protection laws, and implement stricter regulations to ensure the safety of both animals and human consumers.
Police in China rescue over 1,000 cats, uncover illicit trade of feline meat
