New Pet Registration Bill Completed in Maldives, Says Minister
Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare Dr Aishath Rameela, has revealed the completion of a new bill requiring the registration of pets in the Maldives.
In an interview with PSM News, she confirmed that the draft bill has been submitted to the Attorney General’s Office for review.
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The proposed legislation aims to address animal ownership and health, with a central provision mandating the compulsory registration of pets.
Minister Rameela noted that the new law is intended to tackle various animal health concerns and facilitate the identification of pet owners. She emphasised that a registration system is essential for managing the increasing population of stray cats in the country, stating that effective control of stray animals will be challenging without such a framework.
In addition to the registration mandate, the Ministry is also working to ensure the availability of affordable and accessible medicines and vaccines for pets. Plans are underway to expand veterinary services, including the recruitment of specialised doctors and nurses, as well as the establishment of veterinary clinics across the Maldives.
Currently, there is no legislation governing livestock or animals in the Maldives. However, the government’s recent emphasis on wildlife management, alongside the establishment of a dedicated ministry, signifies a significant step towards creating a comprehensive framework for animal welfare and health in the country. The introduction of the pet registration bill is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing animal management practices nationwide.
Construction of Cat Shelter Ongoing, Says Male’ City Council
The Male’ City Council has reported that construction work is currently underway at a cat shelter being developed in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare in Hulhumale’.
The Council stated that a significant portion of the shelter has been completed, including the office compartment and cages for cats. Additional facilities are being constructed in the section of the shelter surrounded by trees.
However, the Council did not provide an estimated completion date for the shelter or the timeline for relocating stray cats to the facility.
Construction on the cat shelter, aimed at addressing the growing population of stray cats in Male’, began on 19 March. Prior to this, Male’ City Mayor Adam Azim had indicated that efforts to relocate the stray cats to the designated area for the shelter would begin in May, although this has yet to take place.
The cat shelter is being developed on a 5,000-square-foot plot at Farukolhufushi and will operate 24/7.
The large stray cat population in Male’ poses health risks and other challenges for residents. Mayor Azim has previously highlighted reports of individuals encountering cat faeces, particularly near mosques, with incidents notably occurring in the vicinity of Salman Mosque. According to the Mayor, the stray cat population is projected to rise to approximately 3,000.
