Council seeks control of cat facility amid concerns

The Male’ City Council has stated that the cat facility established to address the issue of street cats in Male’ city must be used to accommodate all cats in the city. If this is not being done, the facility should be handed over to the council, according to Male Mayor Adam Azim. 

President Mohamed Muizzu opened the ‘Olhu Hiya’ cat facility in November 2024 as part of efforts to address the issue of street cats in Male’ city. The facility was developed in collaboration with the Male’ City Council. However, the council later raised concerns regarding its management. The facility is currently operated under the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare.

According to data released by the ministry, only 30 cats are currently housed at the facility.

Galholhu North Councillor Mohamed Saif Fathih and Galholhu West Councillor Mariyam Nazima Mohamed Faiz have filed a case against the government, citing the failure to transfer street cats to the facility and the continued presence of cat excrement on public roads.

The case states that the facility is only accommodating 30 cats and that sterilisation and vaccination services are required. It also notes that there is no system in place to collect excrement from street cats.

Speaking at the council’s official meeting Wednesday, Azim said the facility was designed to accommodate all cats in Male’ city and that there is no justification for failing to do so. He said the council has twice requested the Ministry of Animal Welfare to hand over the facility if it is not being used for this purpose.

Azim said the city council constructed the facility to allow cats to be managed within Male’ city and that allowing continued pollution from street cats is unacceptable. He also said the operator of the facility has acted irresponsibly and called on the government to take action against those responsible.

He further said that criticism directed at the city council regarding the removal of cat excrement is misplaced while control of the facility remains with the ministry.

Azim added that letters have been sent to the Ministry of Animal Welfare stating that the intended work is not being carried out.

The cat facility was included in the government’s 100-day pledge and was presented as a long-term solution to the issue of street cats in Male’ city. The facility includes shelters and treatment areas.

However, an inspection report by four cat rights organisations stated that mycoplasma was detected at the facility. The report said cats with fungal and viral infections were kept together with healthy cats, hygiene standards were inadequate, treatment was insufficient, and a number of cats had died.