Chinese authorities release thousands of kittens into the forest
In China, more than 1,000 cats were recently rescued by Chinese animal welfare activists and then left to fend for themselves in a forest in Jiangsu Province.
In China, more than 1,000 cats were recently rescued by Chinese animal welfare activists and then left to fend for themselves in a forest in Jiangsu Province.
A volunteer from the Wuxi Association for the Protection of Small Animals reported that a truck was intercepted this Tuesday by Chinese authorities. More than a thousand cats and kittens aged 4 to 6 months were crammed inside, destined to be delivered to the city of Guangzhou and served as food to residents of the Guangdong region.
The truck laden with felines had been stopped due to missing certificates that the driver did not possess. Unable to assume responsibility for confiscating the cats due to lack of resources, the local government agricultural committee decided to release them into the wild, in the surrounding forests and mountains.
This release was understandably not welcomed by all: "These cats that we saved were destined to end up in the stomachs of people in Guangzhou in the South. We obviously did not want them released like this into nature; our volunteers had homes ready to place them" protested one of the activists.
Animal welfare activists then established a search and rescue operation to recover as many cats as possible. Armed with cages, volunteers combed through forests and mountains in hopes of rescuing the cats and offering them proper homes. "Every evening, we have volunteers out searching for them," explained Ni, the activist. Only about fifty cats were able to be recovered by Monday. [...] Some cats died of hunger, others were struck by automobiles," Ni sadly continued.
Contrary to popular belief, animal welfare advocacy is beginning to develop in China. Chinese citizens are increasingly sensitive to this cause and are willing to take action to save cats and dogs from the kitchen.
Last January, approximately 600 cats had been similarly rescued following a truck accident. Another convoy transporting 500 dogs on a Beijing expressway was also stopped by Chinese animal welfare activists. Although cats and dogs are no longer accepted on the plates of most Chinese regions, they remain present on the menus of certain restaurants in China, and their preparation tends to generate controversy. A matter of culture, some would say...
Frequently asked questions
More than 1,000 cats and kittens aged 4 to 6 months were intercepted in a truck in Jiangsu Province, China. However, only about fifty of them were able to be recovered by volunteers after their release into the forest.
The cats were destined to be sold in Guangzhou, in the Guangdong region, to be consumed. Although this practice is increasingly frowned upon in China, some restaurants continue to offer cat or dog meat on their menus.
Yes, awareness of animal welfare is progressing in China. Associations such as the Wuxi Association for the Protection of Small Animals organize rescue operations and raise public awareness. Activists are willing to intercept convoys transporting animals destined for consumption.
There is no national law prohibiting the consumption of cat or dog in China. However, this practice is increasingly controversial and less widespread. It persists in certain regions like Guangdong, but faces growing criticism from animal welfare advocates.
Volunteers from the Wuxi Association for the Protection of Small Animals organized search teams equipped with cages. Every evening, volunteers would scour forests and mountains to locate the cats. Despite their efforts, only about fifty cats were able to be recovered, with some dying of starvation or being struck by vehicles.
