The foundation stone for the Cat Care Shelter in Hulhumale' Phase II was laid in a ceremony inaugurated by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and Male' City Mayor Adam Azim.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare delegated the responsibility of the shelter to Male' City Council on January 25, 2024, and practical work began on March 19. Spanning 5000 acres of land, the project will commence with the establishment of a temporary cat shelter.
During the ceremony, Mayor Adam Azim emphasised the urgency of addressing the issue of stray cats in the greater Male' region due to potential health concerns. He highlighted persistent complaints about the abundance of cats and waste on roads, urging the public to take proactive measures to prevent cat waste.
Mayor Azim acknowledged the initiatives undertaken by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and the former Male' City Mayor to support the Cat Shelter. He expressed gratitude to the current government for facilitating the project and providing encouragement. Additionally, he announced that the eagerly awaited shelter is expected to be completed within the next two months.
The City Council disclosed plans to implement the project in phases, with future arrangements to extend care to domestic animals such as birds. Amenities such as a cat cafe, veterinary clinic, and cat shop are also included in the project. Furthermore, the council announced its intention to allocate a total of 18,000 acres of land for the project in the foreseeable future.