Agriculture and Animal Welfare Minister Dr Mariyam Mariya has called for parliamentary support to address pet welfare challenges, urging the swift passage of the Animal Welfare Bill. The bill proposes mandatory neutering of imported cats and restrictions on breeding. Speaking on Olhu Hiya, the government-run cat shelter in Hulhumalé, she revealed annual upkeep costs of MVR 5,416 per cat, totalling MVR 10.8 million for 2,000 cats, with setup costs reaching MVR 1.2 billion. The facility features a clinic, pharmacy, lab, and housing for stray cats, aiming to reduce overpopulation in the Greater Malé Region and improve animal welfare standards.