All pokemon could talk (but only say their name).

Meowth was one of the most unique pokemon in the world (being able to speak to humans and also walk upright like a human). If they wanted to get rich, they should’ve sold this guy to a rich pokemon collector who would probably pay whatever they could afford to get such a unique novelty pokemon.

But they were after a generic pikachu that they probably couldn’t sell if they tried, and would be laughed out of the room by Giovanni and the other rockets if they brought it back there.

Oh well, it’s a kids’ cartoon