Male’ City Council has announced that they plan on neutering 1,000 stray cats within three months. 

During the council members general meeting yesterday, a council member made a proposal regarding the increase in the number of stray cats on the roads of Male’ city - the proposal included a three month long program to solve this issue. 

Dr. Mohamed Muizz, the Mayor of Male’ city, mentioned in the meeting that he had announced thrice to find an organization to build a cat shelter at Villimale’, at City Council's own expense  and  has found a party, but it would take a long period of time to build a permanent facility. 

“Some organizations have met the council and made proposals regarding a solution for the issue within a shorter time period.” Said the Mayor. 

The proposal was prepared by the council based on these discussions. 

Under the proposal, 1,000 stray cats living on the Male’ city streets were offered to be neutered within three months. This will be funded by the council’s budget. While it costs 1,200 Rufiyaa for the neutering of one cat, the total amount for the procedure is 1.2 million Rufiyaa. 

“Neutering the cats will prevent them from giving birth. This will at least provide some relief for the situation.” The Mayor stated. 

“The council will have to arrange a place for the procedure to be carried out - a temporary setup.”

The council stated that including he building of a temporary facility for the neutered cats, a total of 1.6 million Rufiyaa will be spent on the procedure. 

The council plans on building this facility where the “Neelan Fihaara” shop was formerly located. 

The proposal however was not approved at yesterday’s meeting - this was so that the complications regarding the proposal, which were highlighted by some councilors, could be sorted out and the discussion could be carried out again. Some councilors agreed that the cost for the proposal was too high and that it needed to be lowered.