Local social media was taken by storm after a Facebook page titled ‘Cat Gourmet Butcher’ was launched, sparking many to flood the page’s posts with comments condemning the act of killing cats for meat.
The page introduced the business as a ‘small family-run business, specialising in feline meat. All our produce is currently grown in Poland an France but we are planning to start a local organic farm in Malta in the very near future.’
This did not go down well for many Maltese as the page continued to post – showing off big knives set to be used for butchering the cats as well as promoting their kitten into veal menu option.
However, given the local context, the page could be pure satire. Despite some commenters taking it completely serious, others seem to be in on some joke.
‘Is it enough 1 kitten’ one asked. ‘I usually eat half an adult rabbit.’ Another simply stated: ‘I hope this is a f***ing joke.’ Others were utterly baffled by how the government and the health authorities approved their business.
Others were full on into the ironic comments: ‘Finally, some alternative the usual boring cow, pig and chicken flesh! Can i ask, are they organic? And will kitten flesh be available anytime soon! Absolutely love me some cat bacon.’
Speaking to MaltaDaily, Katerina Younes, the vegan activist and member of Animal Liberation Malta group behind the page, stated that:
There’s a huge hypocrisy around how we treat animals of different species. We wanted to make people realise that the way they felt about these cats is exactly the way vegans feel about any other animals who are being bred and slaughtered solely for people’s taste buds.
We received a massive response, especially from people who identified themselves as animal lovers, who were upset and devastated, including violent threats.
Why do we give certain animals names, take them home with us, love them and cry when they get sick and die, but then stick a number on the ears of other animals and treat them as commodities?
Animals are equal and deserve to be treated equally, the only difference is your perception.
#MaltaDaily
