Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources Ahmed Shiyam has stated that the government has begun efforts to develop an island to specifically care for cats.

During today's press briefing held at the President's Office, the minister said that the public within the Male' region have been complaining about stray cats.

The minister went on to say that some companies have expressed interest in developing at "Cat Island" in Maldives and have submitted their proposals, with the proposals currently being evaluated.

"These efforts incur expenses as well. We have received a very good proposal for the development of a "Cat Island" and are currently evaluating it," said Shiyam.

"We hope that the project will be a success and serve as good news for the cat and pet community."

If a specific island in Maldives is made to have all of the modern resources for cats, Minister Shiyam said that it will also generate a great deal of interest within the international community.

Additionally, the minister said that increasing the space at the Olhu Hiyaa at Hulhumale' will also incur a vast amount of expenses, but the expansion of the facility would mostly solve the issue as well.

He also stated that the government aims to make the facility capable of treating and providing protection for the cats.

While highlighting that there are ongoing efforts to expand the Olhu Hiyaa, initially built to solve the stray cat population issue, the minister said that the facility is currently caring for 280 cats.

Minister Shiyam said that repair work on the facility has already begun and the facility will be able to accommodate and care for 500 cats once it is done.

Furthermore, the minister said that it is also the government's aim to make the facility a more complete service that can provide the required treatment and protection for cats.

The facility was built with an expenditure of MVR 30 million, with Male' City Council stating at the time that the facility can accommodate 3,000 cats.