Growing Concern in Malé as Stray Cats Mysteriously Disappear
Cats roaming through the streets. | Photo credit: MV+
The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has launched an investigation following widespread reports of stray cats vanishing across Malé City without apparent cause.
Local animal welfare groups are raising urgent alarms over a growing number of missing stray cats in the capital, with suspicions mounting and calls intensifying for immediate police action.
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On 21 June, the Feline Welfare Organisation issued a public statement highlighting the alarming rate at which street cats are disappearing from Malé. The organisation noted that cats were not only vanishing from common feeding spots but also from public roads where they were regularly seen.
“Cats still disappearing!” the statement read, warning that the disappearances have persisted for the past four weeks. The organisation estimates that more than 80 percent of the city’s stray cat population is now missing and urged the police to intervene before the situation worsens.
Cats still disappearing !!!
Many stray cats are going missing in Malé , not just from feeding areas but even regular cats seen on the roads daily have gone missing within the last 4 weeks.
We ask the authorities to please help find out what’s happening before all cats are… pic.twitter.com/1Gr0kf3BcB— Feline Welfare Organization (@FelineWO) June 21, 2025
Similarly, Care for Paws Maldives expressed deep concern in a recent post, saying, “This is not just one missing cat! It’s more than a coincidence.” The group described how familiar neighbourhood cats have been disappearing without a trace, no signs, no remains, just empty corners. “Whether it’s poisoning, relocation, trapping or worse, we need answers,” they said, calling on the community to stay alert and report any suspicious behaviour, including unknown individuals removing cats or evidence of traps or poison.
In response, the Police confirmed that it is actively investigating the matter following a formal request from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare. Police said they are collaborating with the ministry to understand the reasons behind the decline in the cat population and are closely monitoring the situation through patrols across Malé. However, they acknowledged that the cause of the disappearances remains unknown and have asked the public to come forward with any relevant information.
Efforts to manage the stray cat population have included the development of Olhu Hiyaa, a dedicated cat shelter in Hulhumalé Farukolhufushi, initially built by the Malé City Council. In February, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare took over the facility and relocated 15 cats there. Minister Dr Maryam Mariya later informed Parliament that 30 cats have been transferred so far. She added that the facility would incur a one-time cost of MVR 1.2 million, with ongoing expenses of MVR 700,000 per month for housing up to 2,000 cats.
Despite these measures, large numbers of stray cats continue to roam the streets, and the underlying issue of their sudden disappearance remains unresolved.
The situation has also reignited memories of a shocking case from the previous year, in which a Bangladeshi man, Arafat Hossain, was arrested after allegedly killing and cooking stray cats to prepare meals for sale. The Feline Welfare Organization brought the case to public attention, accusing the man of being an undocumented worker at Malé’s Valhoamas Market of butchering, cooking, and selling cat meat, which triggered nationwide outrage.
Animal rights advocates now fear similar incidents may be recurring, or that other forms of abuse may be going unnoticed.
With no concrete answers yet, local organisations continue to call for vigilance, urging residents to check in on familiar neighbourhood cats and report anything suspicious. The message remains clear: the police must act swiftly, and the public must remain watchful.
