Cat carcasses were found at a slaughterhouse in Dong Thap province in the Mekong Delta on Thursday
State media said on Friday that Vietnamese police had discovered nearly 2,000 dead cats for use in traditional medicine.
The carcasses of cats were found along with 480 live animals at a slaughterhouse in Dong Thap province in the Mekong Delta on Thursday, according to the official provincial newspaper.
The cats were in cold storage and were believed to be destined for North Vietnam.
Some people in Vietnam believe that extracts of cat bones can help treat conditions such as asthma and osteoporosis.
According to the animal welfare organization Four Paws International, an estimated 100,000 cats fall victim to the illegal wildlife trade in Vietnam each year.
The consumption of dogs and cats is legal in the country. Many restaurants serve meat but require a certificate to show the origin of the animal.
The slaughterhouse in Dong Thap failed to produce paperwork detailing the authorization and traceability of the slaughters.
No arrest has been made in the case so far.
The traditional medicine industry is a major driver of the illegal wildlife trade in Asia, and Vietnam is both a consumption and transportation hub.
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