Why does the cat meat trade persist despite awareness campaigns?

Question

Accepted Answer

The Cat Meat Trade Persists Due to Deep-Rooted Superstitions and Lack of Nationwide Bans

The cat meat trade continues to thrive in parts of Indochina, particularly in Vietnam, primarily because deeply ingrained superstitions link feline consumption to good fortune and medicinal benefits. Despite decades of awareness campaigns by governments and international activists, the trade persists due to a lack of comprehensive nationwide bans and the persistent demand fueled by these traditional beliefs. Smaller numbers of cats are also slaughtered in Cambodia and Laos, driven by similar perceptions of medicinal value.
Demand Driven by Superstition and Perceived Health Benefits

In Vietnam, the consumption of cat meat is not a dietary staple but is largely driven by cultural, traditional, and social reasons. Historically, in parts of Southeast Asia, cat meat has been associated with beliefs about luck and fortune. Specifically, some individuals in Vietnam believe that consuming cat meat during certain periods of the lunar month can bring good luck or help reverse periods of bad luck. Furthermore, a segment of consumers holds the belief that cat meat possesses health or medicinal properties, contributing to its demand.
Absence of Nationwide Prohibition and Enforcement Challenges

A significant factor enabling the continuation of the cat meat trade is the absence of a nationwide ban on the slaughter, sale, or consumption of cat meat in Vietnam. While awareness campaigns have been ongoing for decades, they have not been sufficient to halt the activity. The trade remains a highly sensitive subject in some societies, and the article notes that the effectiveness of these campaigns has been limited, with enforcement challenges and economic incentives for those involved likely contributing to its persistence despite widespread disapproval.
Public Sentiment Against the Trade Contrasts with its Continuation

Despite the persistence of the trade, public sentiment in Vietnam is overwhelmingly against it. Investigations in 2020 by Four Paws revealed that nearly 90% of people in Vietnam support a ban on the dog and cat meat trade, and over 90% do not consider it to be a part of Vietnamese culture. This indicates a growing awareness and opposition to the practice among the general population, yet the trade continues, highlighting a disconnect between public opinion and the actual cessation of the activity.
Economic Value and Public Health Concerns

The cat meat trade also involves significant economic activity, with live cats being sold for approximately US$6 to US$8 per kilogramme and cat meat fetching around US$10 to US$12 per kilogramme in Vietnam in 2020. A premium is placed on black cats due to their alleged special luck-bringing or medicinal properties. Beyond the animal welfare concerns, the undocumented movement of cats across borders raises serious public health issues, including the potential spread of rabies and other zoonotic diseases.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

Why does the cat meat trade persist despite awareness campaigns?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends