Mayor: Transfer of stray cats to new facility will begin in Nov

Transfer of stray cats in Male’ to the facility under development in the Farukolhufushi area of Hulhumale’ will begin in November, according to Male’ City Mayor Adam Azim.

Azim told Sun on Sunday that construction of the facility is complete. However, the council plans on gathering the cats and monitoring it before making the transfers.

He said that the city council is building three cages for the purpose, and expect it to be done in the next 20 days or so.

He said that the council expects to begin moving the cats into the facility in November.

“Therefore, In Sha Allah, we will be able to begin moving the cats from Male’ in November,” he said.

The cat facility project is being developed under an agreement between the Male’ City Council and the Animal Welfare Ministry. Construction work began on March 19.

Built on a 5,000 square feet plot in Farukolhufushi, it seeks to resolve the issue of the growing stray cat population in greater Male’ area.

Azim estimates there are some 3,000 stray cats in the capital.

The growing stray cat population has given rise to public health concerns, as excrement litter the streets, especially in areas with a large number of cats, such as near the King Salman Mosque in Henveiru.