In a significant operation prompted by a tip from animal welfare activists, Chinese police have successfully intercepted a truck transporting more than 1,000 cats destined for slaughter and sale as pork or mutton. The rescue operation took place in the eastern city of Zhangjiagang, highlighting the illicit trade of cat meat and sparking fresh concerns about food safety, according to state-affiliated media reports.
Following observations by local activists who noticed numerous cats confined in nailed-up wooden boxes in a cemetery, the authorities were alerted. The activists monitored the situation for six days, leading to the interception of the truck on October 12. The rescued cats, whether strays or pets, were en route to the country’s southern regions, where they were intended to be served as pork and lamb skewers and sausages.
Cat meat, reportedly valued at 4.5 yuan ($0.61; £0.51) per catty (approximately 600g), has fueled an underground market. It’s estimated that one cat can yield four to five catties, making it a lucrative yet controversial trade.
The rescued felines were promptly relocated to a shelter, as reported by The Paper, revealing the extent of the clandestine cat meat industry. The incident has stirred public outrage and sparked renewed calls for enhanced food industry inspections.
The Paper’s report, published last Friday, garnered thousands of comments on China’s social media platform Weibo, with users expressing anger and advocating for stricter regulations to protect animals.
One Weibo user commented, “May these people die a horrible death,” reflecting the intensity of public sentiment. Others questioned the absence of laws safeguarding the lives of cats and dogs, and some declared their intention to abstain from consuming barbecue meat outside.
This incident follows a previous case in June, where a college student in the province of Jiangxi discovered a rat’s head in his meal, causing widespread uproar. Initially dismissed by school authorities as duck meat, they later conceded the accuracy of the student’s claim, underscoring broader concerns about food safety in the country.
