Dog and Cat Meat and Fur Trades Cameroon

The dog and cat meat trade in CAMEROON (Africa):

The illegal trade in dogs for their meat is common between Cameroon and Nigeria, which share a common border.  (Garba, 2013, Evaluation of dog slaughter and consumption practices related to the control of rabies in Nigeria)

The community of Vame is one of many communities in Cameroon that eat dog meat.  (Dawkins, 2018, 5 dog-eating African communities where you are welcome with the delicacy)  Villagers in Bafut Village in Cameroon have been eating dogs for years, and kill and consume over 10 dogs a week, mostly strays.  (OIPA, 2016, OIPA Cameroon Experienced A Sad Day During Its Vaccination Campaign in the Bafut Village)

Cat meat is relished in Cameroon.  Cat meat is usually eaten during the Christmas holiday and during ceremonies in Batibo in Cameroon that occur from March to June each year.  Cats are eaten during these ceremonies for good luck.  (Ackwerh, 2018, Notorious cat meat samosa vendor in Kenya busted after 1100thkill)

Cameroon does not have any animal welfare laws to protect domestic and farmed animals.  “In most African countries and Cameroon in particular, hunting (of wild animals) and animal mistreatment occur every thirty minutes, which is a call for concern.”  Farmed and domestic animals suffer from a high rate of neglect.   OIPA Cameroon is working to raise awareness about the treatment of animals and educate the people of Cameroon about how to “protect, respect and ensure the welfare of animals in the country.”  (OIPA, 2016, Testimony from Cameroon: Bamenda, Cameroon Our Volunteers Visited a Primary School in Njibi in the Bafut Sub Division) 

Cameroon is considered a high-risk area for rabies from dogs.  (CDC, 2021, High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies)  Rabies virus isolates from dogs in the meat trade in Cameroon were found in Nigeria and Burkina Faso in Africa.  (Garba, 2013, Evaluation of dog slaughter and consumption practices related to the control of rabies in Nigeria)

OIPA, the International Organization for Animal Protection, is asking the Government of Cameroon to ban dog meat in Cameroon.  (OIPA, 2016, OIPA Cameroon Experienced A Sad Day During Its Vaccination Campaign in the Bafut Village)