Cat shelter to cost MVR 10.8 million annually: Minister Maria

Agriculture and Animal Welfare Minister Dr. Mariyam Maria has revealed that once operational, the cat shelter at Olhu Hiyaa in Hulhumale' will cost the government MVR 10.8 million annually to maintain.

She made the statement while responding to a question from Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) regarding the cost and status of the facility.

Minister Maria said that the non-recurrent expenditure will amount to MVR 1.8 billion, while the monthly running cost would be MVR 700,000 if the shelter houses 2,000 cats. That translates to MVR 368 per cat per month, she said.

“If 2,000 cats are kept at the facility, it will cost MVR 3.4 million every three months, and MVR 10.8 million annually,” she said.

She added that the ministry took over the facility and is currently working to address safety and operational concerns. Thirty stray cats have already been transferred to the shelter.

Once the facility is fully occupational, all stray cats in Male' will be moved there, Minister Maria said.

The shelter was originally opened in February last year by the Male' City Council to house stray cats. However, following a cabinet decision, its management was transferred to the Agriculture and Animal Welfare Ministry, despite earlier disputes between the two.