Temporary ban on importing cats for sale

Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare Dr. Aishath Rameela has announced a planned temporary ban on importing cats for business purposes.

Speaking at state media, PSM’s ‘Raajje Miadhu’ program on Monday, the Minister said an amended Animal Welfare Bill has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office which will establish a controlled mechanism for import of domesticated animals to the Maldives.

As per the Minister, the public will be opened the opportunity to adopt cats from ‘Olhu Hiyaa’ pet care facility inaugurated at Hulhumale’ Phase II on Saturday once the shift of all stray cats is completed.  For this purpose, she noted that a temporary ban on the import of acts for business purposes is in the pipeline for this particular period.

“Then, cats will be selected as pets from the facility. There is no issue if a private individual wants to import [a cat] as a pet. However, importing cats for sale will be withheld to an extent,” she added.

Minister Rameela underscored that the pet care facility was a temporary establishment with efforts to develop a four-story pet care facility set to commence next year for which approval has been received from the Finance Ministry. She noted that cat-sitting services will be provided at the facility for pet owners traveling, until their return.

Speaking further, the Minister, noting there are over 4,000 stray cats in Male’ area, said the first batch of cats will be shifted to the facility within this week.

She emphasized that the condition of all stray cats will differ from each and henceforth, shifting them all at once was not a safe option. Thus, the Minister said the shift will be implemented in batches while the cats, once shifted to the facility, will be enrolled in a register.

Minister Rameela said the health status of the cats will be assessed upon being shifted to the facility following which they will be neutered to control the growing population of cats.

According to the Minister, the shift will be implemented under a specific plan that has been formulated for the purpose.