President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has inaugurated the first ever pet care facility in the Maldives, aiming to address the issue of the increasing number of stray cats within the Greater Male' Region.
The pet care facility, Olhuhiyaa, is situated in a land plot of 5,000 sqft in Hulhumale' Phase II. The ceremony held to inaugurate the ceremony was attended by President Dr. Muizzu, Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef and parliamentarians.
The pet care facility will provide a variety of services including basic check-ups, treatments, assist veterinarians in operations, giving medications to cats according to the instructions of vets and feeding them. The facility will also provide blood and urine testing of cats and other tests required to identify diseases, give anaesthesia, and providing recovery treatment for cats after operations.
Despite the issue of increasing number of stray cats, such that it disrupts the daily lives of the public, no efforts were made previously by Male' City Council during the past tenure, to resolve this issue. Regardless of this, after President Dr. Muizzu assumed his position as the Mayor of the council in 2021, he stated that efforts were exerted to address the issue. Under these efforts, he requested the then-government to allocate land for these works. However, the lack of support from the previous administration caused delays in these works.
After President Dr. Muizzu assumed office as the president of the Maldives, he designated a special ministry to protect and care for animals; the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare. He then introduced the plan to develop a pet care facility as one of his top priorities and allocated land in Hulhumale' Phase II for this purpose
The government notes that this initiative will play a vital role in resolving the issue of increasing number of stray cats, a problem which has gone unresolved for a prolonged period. It will also ensure road cleanliness and the provision of care for the cats.