The Việt Nam Cat Association received a decision to establish the first social organisation dedicated to cats in Việt Nam. VNA/VNS Photo Minh Phương.

HÀ NỘI — The Việt Nam Cat Association was established on Sunday, raising social awareness of cat welfare, rights and protection in Việt Nam.

The association will operate under the Vietnam Animal Welfare Association (VAWA).

Speaking at the ceremony, Phạm Thanh Sơn, deputy head of the VAWA said: “The forming of the Việt Nam cat association will contribute to the enhancement of cat welfare and cat breed protection in Việt Nam.

“I believe and hope that the association will bring a humane message to society, so cats will be treated as friends of people,” he added.

The association will focus on building regulations on cat protection and against mistreatment and maintaining cat breeds in Việt Nam.

The group will also connect with other cat protection centres in Việt Nam to aid finance and human resources to provide a better living environment for cats at centres.

“The association is the first social group dedicated to cats in Việt Nam, so we understand our mission is to protect cat welfare in Việt Nam,” said Nguyễn Xuân Sơn, head of the Việt Nam Cat Association.

“We will also work to harmonise the perspective of the global animal protection organisations with the traditions and beliefs of local people,” he added.

According to a report by international animal welfare organisation Four Paws, more than one million cats are illegally traded and slaughtered each year in Việt Nam.

“I hope that the association will try their best to eliminate the illegal cat meat trade in Việt Nam, so cat owners like me will no longer have to worry about our pets' safety,” said Nguyễn Vũ Hải Đăng, a cat owner. — VNS