10 Facts About the Dog and Cat Meat Trade in Southeast-Asia

Did you know?

FOUR PAWS targets the dog and cat meat trade in Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia, with the goal to end this brutal trade by 2030.
Up to 3 million dogs are killed annually for the dog meat trade in Cambodia, up to 5 million annually in Vietnam, and over 1 million annually in Indonesia.
Many cats and dogs are stolen family pets. To meet demand, traders snatch dogs off the street or steal them from people’s properties, frequently using poison. Cyanide-laced meatballs and strychnine baits are commonly used for this.
In Cambodia, the price of a plate of dog meat typically is around 5000 Riel ($1.23).
In Cambodia, dog meat goes by the name sach pises which means "special meat" in Khmer, and is often eaten as a party snack to accompany drinking among friends. Pregnant women frequently consume the meat due to perceived medicinal properties, such as after giving birth.
In Vietnam, cat meat is typically eaten at the start of the lunar month to bring good luck for the coming month.
Dogs are typically killed by drowning, bludgeoning, choking, or electrocution – frequently in full view of other dogs awaiting their turn.
Dog meat consumption has been linked to outbreaks of trichinosis, cholera and rabies in humans.
In Vietnam, cat meat is known as “little tiger” and becoming increasingly popular in restaurants, particularly in the North.
Black-colored dogs and cats are frequently targeted for their perceived special "medicinal" properties.