Many dogs and cats are stolen from families who love their pets. When eaten they are tortured in the name of making the meat "better". Bringing any awareness to this barbaric bad habit will help.
Since spending time in Hoi An I have seen a local animal welfare group get through to the powers that be. Dog and cat meat will be phased out in Hoi An. But I want it banned in the whole country.
Cats and dogs are man's best friend. More so than ever during the lockdowns. Having them stolen and then knowing they will be tortured, is heartbreaking.
Please Google things like "cat and dog meat ban Hoi An". Then share the news pages you see. Or use this page by the excellent organization Four Paws: https://www.four-paws.org/our-stories/press-releases/vietnam-establishes-first-ever-dog-and-cat-meat-free-tourist-friendly-city
If you want more details about how the animals are treated Four Paws created an excellent but harrowing report on the cat meat industry last year. Sharing this would also help, but beware, it is disturbing: https://dogcatmeat.four-paws.org/the-truth/a-report-on-the-cat-meat-trade-in-vietnam
Below are just a few photos of cats and dogs, mostly from Vietnam, where it became a hobby of mine to take their photos on the streets of Hanoi and Hoi An. There aren't many cats as they can't be chained up easily like dogs. Most people go for very small dogs that the thieves won't be interested in due to lack of meat.
Gradual education about the benefits of cats and dogs in families, to lonely people, the blind and other service dogs is slowly changing opinion. The new retail shops selling treats and pet clothes are a sign people treat their pets like a part of the family nowadays.
In the past cats were for rodent control and dogs were for guarding your property and livestock. As Vietnam has modernized, so have the roles of cats and dogs in cities. There are no longer desperate times where food is scarce like in the early to mid 90s or the American War. There is no excuse to eat these animals any more, especially in restaurants who may be serving stolen pets.
