Government seeks operator for Olhu Hiyaa facility

Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare is seeking proposals to operate the Olhu Hiyaa Animal Care Facility in Hulhumale' Phase Two for a one-year period.

In an announcement issued on Tuesday, the ministry invited interested parties to submit proposals by 12 June.

The ministry has also advertised a vacancy for a veterinary assistant to work at the facility.

Olhu Hiyaa, which officially opened in February, was originally built by Male' City Council to house stray cats from the capital. However, following a cabinet decision, the facility was transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare.

The handover came after a dispute between the city council and the ministry over which authority should manage the shelter. It is now operated under the ministry’s purview.

While the city council has estimated there are around 3,000 stray cats in Male', only 30 have been taken to the facility so far.