Two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have submitted proposals to run the newly established Olhuhiyaa cat shelter in reclaimed suburb Hulhumale’.
Olhuhiyaa is a government-established shelter set up to care for stray cats on the streets of Male’ City. The shelter was developed on a 5,000-square-foot plot in Hulhumale’. The state-of-the-art facility was inaugurated by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu in November 2024.
Male City Council officially handed over the Olhuhiyaa cat shelter to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare on 26 February.
However, the Ministry had to delay operations to carry out necessary renovations like reinforcing the enclosures.
On 12 June, the Ministry had invited interested parties to run the shelter section of the facility.
The Ministry told PSM News that two NGOs have expressed interest and submitted proposals to run the facility’s shelter section.
The bid evaluation is now underway, the official said, adding that the Ministry has also announced for employees to work in the shelter. The staff will be hired after a party to run the shelter is selected, the official added.
The Ministry in April had said that as many as 30 cats are being cared for at the shelter.
The Olhuhiyaa facility is equipped with a quarantine area, a veterinary clinic and a laboratory, as well as a pharmacy stocked with medicines for cats and designated living spaces for animals.