Hanoi households trade dog and cat meat for new careers
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In Hanoi, Vietnam, dog and cat meat traders are voluntarily closing their businesses and seeking alternative livelihoods with support from a collaborative project.
The Hanoi Sub-Department of Livestock Production, Fisheries and Veterinary Medicine, the Soi Dog Foundation, and SBCC Vietnam are working together on a program approved by the Hanoi People’s Committee to end the trade and prevent rabies. This initiative focuses on providing training and financial assistance to help traders transition to new careers.
To date, 28 establishments have stopped trading dog and cat meat, and 25 households have registered to change their businesses. The project offers courses in sales, food and beverage preparation, and food safety regulations, along with career counseling and market connections. Organizers recently provided start-up support to five households and plan to assist five more in October and November.
Nguyen Van Hung, a former dog and cat meat vendor in Tay Mo Ward, successfully transitioned to selling beer and beverages with the project’s help. He used the training to improve his business skills and reach customers despite a less central location. The Soi Dog Foundation believes that providing safe, stable income opportunities encourages people to join the transition, and hopes this model will expand regionally to support rabies prevention and sustainable economic development.
