An unexpected turn of events has led to the closure of a Vietnamese restaurant after a shocking discovery was made. Gia Bảo, a popular eatery in the city of Thái Nguyên, had been secretly slaughtering up to 300 cats per month to use in a traditional cat meat soup. The disturbing revelation has sparked outrage and highlighted the stark cultural differences surrounding feline welfare and the consumption of cats.
According to USA Today, cats are considered beloved family members in the United States with owners spending an average of $17,235 during the lifetime of their pet. However, in other countries, cats do not enjoy the same status. This was evident in the case of Gia Bảo, where cats were seen as nothing more than a cheap ingredient for soup.
Restaurant in Vietnam drowning 300 cats/month for cat soup closes for good after owner asks animal charity @HSIGlobal for help – thanks @itsjoshmilton for the great story https://t.co/ShqwN2nA18 via @MetroUK
— Wendy Higgins Ⓥ (@wenhiggins) December 23, 2023
In an interview with Metro, restaurant owner Pham Quoc Doanh revealed that he started selling cat meat a few years ago in order to support his family. “It was all about money since I had to make money for my whole family,” he confessed. However, Doanh soon grew disturbed by the suffering the cats endured during the slaughtering process. He recalled, “I felt sorry for them when I saw them suffering during slaughtering.”
Doanh’s change of heart was triggered by the inhumane slaughter methods and the realization that many of the cats he used were actually stolen pets from loving families. “Cat theft is so common in Vietnam that I know many of the cats sold here were someone’s loved family companion, and I feel very sorry about that,” he admitted. This heartbreaking truth prompted him to make a decision that would ultimately change the course of his business.
With the help of Humane Society International (HSI) and their “Models for Change” program, Doanh was able to transform his restaurant into a grocery store. This transition not only provided a more humane way for Doanh to earn a living but also prevented the slaughter of 20 cats and kittens who were rescued and placed for adoption. The rescued cats will now be vaccinated against rabies and rehabilitated before finding new loving homes.
In an interview with Metro, Quang Nguyen, HSI’s Vietnam companion animals program manager, expressed his optimism about the closure of Gia Bảo. He stated, “We are thrilled to be closing down our first cat meat trade business in Vietnam and hope it will be the first of many as more people like Mr. Doanh turn away from this cruel trade.” Nguyen also shed light on the widespread belief in Vietnam that cat meat can cure bad luck, which fuels the demand for cat consumption and causes unimaginable suffering for these animals.
A restaurant in Vietnam that killed 300 cats a month to make soup has closed after its owner said he felt regretful, knowing that many were stolen pets.
While most of the population is calling for a ban on cat meat, some still believe it cures "bad luck."https://t.co/yjotFwUJAR
— VICE News (@VICENews) December 28, 2023
The closure of Gia Bảo restaurant is a story of hope and change. It serves as a reminder that with education and economic alternatives, cultural superstitions and traditional culinary practices can be overcome. While the popularity of cat meat consumption in Vietnam may be deeply rooted, the fact that many of these cats were stolen pets gives hope that one day, the country’s love for cats as pets will override their dietary preferences. This transformation would not only protect the welfare of cats but also promote public health.