What Happened?
September 15, 2025
Facility handed over to NGO "Feline Welfare Organization" with 127 cats
Following Weeks
Multiple complaints from animal welfare community about declining standards
October 5, 2025
Emergency inspection conducted by 4 independent NGOs
Only 84 cats remaining - 43 cats unaccounted for
Critical Findings
Disease Outbreak
Active outbreaks of Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV) and Mycoplasma infections confirmed
Veterinarian only received second-choice antibiotics, not optimal treatment
Cross-Contamination Crisis
Staff used same gloves and brushes across all quarantine cages
Cleaning performed with cats still inside cages. Neonates placed in dirty litterbox during cleaning.
Zero Documentation
- No intake records
- No medical records on-site
- No death documentation
- No euthanasia logs
- No vaccination records
- No quarantine duration tracking
Uncontrolled Breeding
Male and female cats mixed in outdoor kennels
Ministry staff confirmed cats are mating inside the facility
Surgery Equipment Not Present
Equipment present on opening day (Nov 2, 2024) not present during inspection
No ventilation machine, no surgical instruments - only surgery table and autoclave remain
No Hygiene Protocol
Only 1 person knew cleaning/disinfection protocols - absent during inspection
Unlabeled disinfectants. No drying racks. No separation of equipment between kennels.
Political Presence at Failing Facility
2 political appointees from the Ministry present during inspection
Government political appointees found on-site at a facility with 43 missing cats, disease outbreaks, and zero documentation
By The Numbers
Sept 15, 2025
Oct 5, 2025
in 20 days
127 Cats Handed Over to This Facility
Every cat emoji represents one life. The facility was later rated Non-Compliant after inspection.
Cat Distribution at Inspection
Unknown Data
Compliance Violations
The facility failed to meet basic standards across all categories
- No documentation of cat selection criteria
- No location records for where cats were trapped
- No intake procedures documented
- No identification system visible
- No initial veterinary examination records
- High cross-contamination risk: Same brush and gloves used across all cages
- Cages cleaned with cats still inside
- Neonates temporarily placed in dirty litterbox
- No quarantine duration records
- No intake date documentation
- Spray bottles not labeled with contents
- New veterinarian started only 2 days before inspection
- No records of previous veterinary visits
- Insufficient medicines - only second-choice antibiotics available
- Vaccination status unknown for all cats
- No parasite control records
- No surgical equipment or facilities operational
- Equipment present on opening day (Nov 2, 2024) not present during inspection
- Fecal buildup on furniture and litterboxes
- No proper cleaning/disinfection protocol visible
- Only 1 person knew protocols - absent during inspection
- Unlabeled disinfectants
- No drying racks for equipment
- No designated washing areas
- Insufficient separation of equipment between kennels
- Active outbreak: FPV and Mycoplasma infections confirmed
- No disease prevention protocol observed
- High disease spread due to poor hygiene practices
- No isolation protocols enforced
- Unknown biological waste disposal procedures
- No public reporting on operations
- No community outreach or involvement
- No medical records accessible on-site
- No adoption/rehoming procedures
- CCTV not operational (bidding process pending)
- Report of break-in by underage boys who released/mixed cats
- No training provided to staff or volunteers
- No qualified trainer on site
- Staff lacked knowledge of hygiene protocols
- No documented shift duties
- No reporting system in place
- Volunteers not informed about procedures
About This Inspection
Facility Details
Name: "Olhu Hiyaa" - Animal Care Facility
Location: Hulhumale' Phase 2, Maldives
Managed by: NGO "Feline Welfare Organization" (Reg: 141-NGO/CERT/2023/62)
Overseen by: Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare (MAAW)
Inspection Details
Date: October 5, 2025
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Reason: Multiple complaints from animal welfare community
⚠️ Who Was Present
1 OlhuHiyaa staff from the Ministry
2 political appointees of the Ministry
2 NGO volunteers from Feline Welfare Organization
1 cleaning person (hired)
Political appointees present at facility with no documentation, missing cats, and disease outbreak
Independent Inspectors
Nine Lives Raajje
Reg. 493-NGO/CERT/2025/86
Aishath Dhamsha Nashid, Vice President
Welfare for Island Cats
Reg. 141-NGO/CERT/2023/1828
Aishath Amira, President
Zoophilist Society of Maldives
Reg. 141-NGO/CERT/2022/1346
Mohamed Faisal, Chairman
Care for Paws
Registration in progress
Hassan Hunaif, Co-Founder & President
Demand Accountability
43 cats are unaccounted for. Zero documentation exists. Active disease outbreaks confirmed (FPV and Mycoplasma). This is a government-funded facility that has failed in its duty of care.