A bill on pet ownership and animal welfare has been drafted, mandating registration of animals kept as pets.
Although many keep cats, birds, and other animals as pets, the Maldives has not yet enacted specific laws governing animal welfare.
Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, Dr Aishath Rameela, told state media PSM that the bill, which also addresses animal health, has been drafted and forwarded to the Attorney General’s Office for review.
One of the key provisions of the bill is the requirement to register pets, which will help identify pet owners and address the issue of animals being abandoned on the streets.
Minister Rameela also highlighted that the ministry is working to make veterinary medicines and vaccines more affordable and accessible. Efforts are underway to establish veterinary clinics and bring in specialist veterinarians and nurses.
The issue of abandoned cats, which escalated during the Covid-19 lockdown, has become a significant concern in the Maldives. The government is constructing a cat shelter in Hulhumale' to address the issue.
In 2021, an animal health bill was submitted to Parliament, which placed responsibility for the health and well-being of pets on their owners and included policies on importing, exporting, transiting and selling animal and products related to them.
However, the bill was withdrawn after it failed to pass before the end of the parliament session.
Minister Rameela said that while the previous bill lacked provisions related to animal welfare, the newly drafted bill includes those matters, as animal welfare now falls under the ministry's purview.
