Male' City Mayor Adam Azim has revealed the eagerly awaited Pet Care Shelter will be completed within the next two months. His announcement came during a ceremony inaugurating the development works of the shelter, where he addressed attendees and emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue of stray cats in Male', Hulhumale', and Villimale'.
Persistent complaints and social media posts have highlighted the abundance of cats roaming the streets, prompting the present administration to prioritize the matter. The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare delegated the responsibility of the Pet Shelter Care to Male' City Council on January 25, 2023. Mayor Adam Azim, alongside State Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Mariyam Wisham, officiated the inauguration of the pet care shelter, underscoring the government's commitment to resolving the issue.
During the inauguration ceremony, Mayor Adam Azim reiterated their commitment to operationalise the pet care shelter within the next two months and promptly transfer the cats. Meanwhile, State Minister Mariyam Wisham assured full cooperation to the council and highlighted the initiative's inclusion in President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's key pledges in 'Week 14'. She emphasised that the installation of fences will precede the commencement of the shelter's operations.
The project, spanning 5000 acres of land, will include amenities such as a cat cafe, veterinary clinic, and cat shop. The City Council revealed plans to implement the project in phases, with future arrangements to extend care to domestic animals like birds. Additionally, the council announced its intention to allocate a total of 18,000 acres of land for the project in the foreseeable future.
The development of the Pet Care Shelter underscores the government's commitment to animal welfare and addresses the pressing issue of stray animals in urban areas. The project promises to provide a safe haven for stray cats and pave the way for further initiatives to care for other vulnerable animals in Male' and its surrounding islands.