Malé Mayor Calls for Relocation of All Stray Cats to City Shelter

Malé City Mayor Adam Azim has urged that all stray cats in the city be relocated to a shelter specifically developed by the Malé City Council for their care and welfare.

In a statement posted on social media, Azim expressed concern over the recent disappearance of stray cats from the streets of Malé. Animal welfare advocates have suggested that some individuals may be harming the animals.

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Maruvaa bulhaathah ves adhi ehen ehchehives naganee city council in.
Agri n animal welfare in kuraakameh noavey.

MCC in hedhi bulhaa facility ves gadhakamun athulaigen ammihlla meehunge bulhaa ethanah laigen ulhey habaru libenee.

Magumathee ulhey bulhaa thah laan MCC in… https://t.co/C3nQEqFuYD— Mayor of Male’ City – Adam Azim (@adamazim) July 4, 2025

The mayor noted that although the shelter was built by the city council to accommodate and care for stray cats, it has since been taken over by government authorities, who have placed privately owned cats there instead.

Azim highlighted that the government has not been transferring stray cats to the shelter, resulting in continued problems for residents, including issues with cat faeces in public areas.

He described the situation as urgent and criticised the lack of coordination among authorities in managing the stray cat population in the capital.

Azim called on the responsible bodies to begin using the shelter for its intended purpose and ensure stray cats are brought there. With the shelter now available, he stressed there is no reason for stray cats to remain on the streets.

The Male City Council formally handed over the Olhuhiyaa shelter to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare in February. However, operations were delayed to allow for necessary renovations, including reinforcing the animal enclosures.