Within 16 hours of the Male’ City Council officially handing over “Olu Hiyaa”, a facility established specifically for stray cats in the Male’ area, to the government, the necessary resources have been set up and cats have started being transferred there. The cat facility, which was opened in Hulhumale’ Phase 2 as part of the government’s “14 Weeks” pledges, was officially handed over to the Ministry yesterday.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare stated that within 24 hours of officially taking over the Olu Hiyaa facility, they have completed setting up the necessary resources and begun providing protection for the cats.
“Within just 16 hours of 16 hours of taking over the Olu Hiyaa facility, our team has established the resources needed for the new quarantine area and completed all arrangements. So far, 15 cats have been brought to the facility,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry stated that this was achieved through the continuous work of the Ministry’s task force and the tireless efforts of NGOs who cooperated with great enthusiasm. “Olu Hiyaa” is a modern facility developed on the government’s initiative to find a permanent solution to the increasing problem of stray cats on the streets of Male’. The objectives of this project include implementing robust pet care regulations and guidelines in the Maldives.
This project is one that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had been working to implement since his time as the Mayor of Male’ City. However, he has noted that the project could not move forward at that time due to lack of cooperation from the government of the day. To make the Olu Hiyaa project a reality, special attention was given to this work, and for the first time in the Maldives, a Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare was established under this government to safely manage such living creatures in the country.
