The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare has advised against the transfer of stray cats to the newly opened Olhu Hiyaa cat facility in Hulhumale' until several critical issues are addressed.

Olhu Hiyaa, a government initiative to house stray cats from the Male' region, was officially opened on November 2 by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. However, the Ministry has raised concerns about the readiness of the facility, stating that it cannot accommodate cats until Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are properly followed.

The Ministry emphasized that until these issues are resolved, the transfer of cats could negatively impact their health, and proper care could not be ensured. The Ministry has called on the Male' City Council to refrain from moving cats to the facility until these concerns are addressed.

The Olhu Hiyaa facility was built on a 5,000-square-foot plot provided by the Housing Development Corporation as part of the government’s efforts to manage the stray cat population in the Male' region.