Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Dr. Mariyam Mariya, has revealed that the annual operating cost of the “Olhu Hiyaa” stray cat facility in Hulhumalé Phase 2 will total MVR 10.8 million. The disclosure was made during Monday’s Parliament session, in response to a question from Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim.
The minister explained that monthly operational costs are projected at MVR 700,000 to care for 2,000 cats, with a quarterly expenditure of MVR 3.4 million. This breaks down to MVR 368 per cat monthly or MVR 5,416 annually. Additionally, non-recurrent development costs of the facility were stated to be around MVR 1.2 billion.
“Olhu Hiyaa,” which spans 5,000 square feet, was inaugurated in November last year and began housing cats in February. According to the Ministry, the facility currently shelters 30 cats. It is designed as a round-the-clock service center aimed at providing care, shelter, and medical support for stray cats removed from the streets and public spaces of Malé.
The facility includes a quarantine zone, clinic, pharmacy, laboratory, and play areas. The government describes it as part of a broader effort to control the stray cat population humanely while safeguarding public hygiene and animal welfare.