The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare has announced that the clinic established at the Olhu Hiyaa animal shelter in Hulhumalé has been officially registered and is ready to commence services.

According to the Ministry, the clinic has been authorised by the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) to handle controlled medicines, with essential supplies for surgery and treatment already secured. The Ministry also confirmed that recruitment is underway to staff the shelter, with two bids for management contracts under evaluation.

Authorities stated that Olhu Hiyaa will play a vital role in streamlining animal care, including treatment, vaccination, and shelter services. The Ministry has also expanded quarantine capacity to accommodate upto 100 animals at a time, and increased measures to ensure that stray animals are cared for with compassion and proper medical support. The facility currently houses more than 100 stray cats relocated by the Ministry.

The shelter, developed to address the problem of stray cats overcrowding the streets of Malé, was inaugurated on 2 November 2024 by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. Constructed on a 5,000-square-foot plot, the facility was initially managed by the Malé City Council but was transferred to the Ministry in February 2025 following a Cabinet decision.