Across Asia, the Dog and Cat Meat Trade is flourishing. It is estimated that millions of cats and dogs are still victim of the trade every year.
Scope of the Dog and Cat Meat Trade
Organised Networks and Commercial Supply
The cat and dog meat trade involves organised networks that transport and supply cats and dogs to markets. These operations often include illegal methods of capture and unsanitary handling practices, posing risks to both animal welfare and public health. Criminal networks are typically involved, managing transport, sale, and distribution through black-market channels.
Methods of Killing in the Dog and Cat Meat Trade
Commonly Used Methods
The methods used to kill animals in the trade are both brutal and inhumane, often aimed at cost-efficiency without regard for animal welfare. Common methods include:
- Bludgeoning: Animals are frequently bludgeoned, resulting in significant suffering and slow death. This method is often chosen due to its low cost and lack of equipment.
- Strangulation or Hanging: Some animals are killed through hanging or strangulation, causing prolonged suffering.
- Drowning: Animals are sometimes drowned in attempts to make the process quieter or more “efficient,” though this causes considerable distress and pain.
- Electrocution: In certain areas, animals are electrocuted in unsupervised settings, leading to severe pain and trauma.
- Burning or Boiling Alive: Tragically, some animals are burned or boiled alive, which is one of the most extreme forms of cruelty seen in the trade.
These methods subject animals to high levels of distress and suffering, violating basic principles of humane treatment.
Sources of Dogs and Cats in Meat Trade
Captured Pets and Street Animals
A large number of animals used in the trade come from stolen pets, with thieves targeting animals for their tame behaviour and trust in humans. Additionally, stray cats and dogs are often caught and sold into the trade. These animals endure considerable suffering from the point of capture, through transportation, to their final moments.
Conditions in Breeding Facilities
In some cases, animals are raised specifically for the meat trade, kept in breeding facilities with minimal standards of care. These facilities are often unsanitary, overcrowded, and lacking any form of humane treatment.
Impact on Animal Welfare and Public Health
Severe Animal Suffering
The Dog and Cat Meat Trade inflicts severe suffering on animals, who experience both physical pain and psychological trauma. Animals are typically confined in cramped conditions, with many witnessing the slaughter of others, which causes significant stress and fear.
Public Health Risks
The trade also poses health risks due to the unsanitary conditions in which animals are handled and transported. These environments facilitate the spread of diseases such as rabies and other zoonotic infections, increasing risks to public health.
What We Are Doing to Combat the Dog and Cat Meat Trade
We are dedicated to ending the cruelty of the Dog and Cat Meat Trade. Our approach includes investigations, rescuing animals, and pursuing legal action against those responsible for abuse and cruelty.
Investigating the Trade
We conduct investigations to gather evidence of animal cruelty and legal violations within the Dog and Cat Meat Trade. Our work aims to expose the inhumane treatment of animals and provide solid grounds for law enforcement action.
Disrupting Criminal Networks
We work closely with local and international law enforcement agencies to dismantle the networks responsible for the trade. Our efforts focus on identifying key operators and routes, helping authorities disrupt the operations that allow this trade to persist.
Rescuing Animals
We aim to rescue animals wherever possible, ensuring they receive immediate veterinary care and are rehomed to safety. Rescued animals are moved to protected environments, where they are free from further harm.
Taking Legal Action
Wherever possible, we pursue legal action against those involved in this cruelty. By filing criminal charges and working within legal systems, we seek to hold individuals and networks accountable, sending a clear message that animal cruelty will not go unpunished.