Feline Welfare Organization
Feline Welfare Organization is a non-governmental organization based in the Maldives, established on 22 August 2023. The organization is dedicated to the welfare and care of stray cats in the Maldives. FWO focuses on humane animal management practices, including advocacy for trap–neuter–return programs, and for sustainable solutions to address the growing stray animal population.
The organization advocates for and supports the establishment of cat sanctuaries and shelters across the country through both preliminary and ongoing efforts, in partnership with the local councils and the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare of the Maldives.
Additionally, FWO works to raise awareness about animal cruelty, promote responsible pet ownership, and encourages community engagement through educational events and partnerships.
In December 2025, the Maldives ratified the Animal Husbandry and Animal Welfare Act, introducing stricter penalties for animal cruelty and new regulations on animal care.
History
The Feline Welfare Organization was established on 22 August 2023 in response to the growing issue of stray cats in the Maldives. The organization was founded to address the challenges posed by the increasing stray cat population in urban areas such as Malé and on several local islands. The rise in stray cats has been attributed to factors such as limited animal management strategies, a lack of public awareness about responsible pet ownership, and insufficient animal welfare resources.The reason why FWO was created was to implement ethical alternatives to lethal solutions, particularly through promoting TNR programs aimed at controlling the stray cat population.
In addition to these programs, FWO began feeding hundreds of stray cats in Malé City and advocated for similar practices in other islands. The organization also joined hands with the Malé City Council and the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare to support the set up of cat sanctuaries and shelters across the country, working toward improving the overall welfare of stray animals in the Maldives.
Objectives
The Feline Welfare Organization aims to improve the welfare of stray cats in the Maldives through humane and sustainable approaches. Its key objectives include:- Population control: Implementing non-lethal methods, such as endorsing for TNR programs, to manage the stray cat population in urban and rural areas.
- Animal care: Providing regular feeding and advocating for responsible management of stray animals in various regions, including urban areas like Malé and surrounding islands.
- Sanctuaries and shelters: Supporting the establishment of cat sanctuaries and shelters across the Maldives, in collaboration with local authorities and government agencies.
- Public awareness and education: Promoting awareness on animal welfare, responsible pet ownership, and the prevention of animal cruelty through educational campaigns and community engagement.
- Advocacy for animal welfare: Working to influence policy and legislative measures aimed at improving animal protection and welfare in the Maldives.
Controversies
Response to animal cruelty incidents
A controversy involving the FWO arose when a video depicting a man abusing a cat circulated on social media. The video circulated on social media, and generated public discourse on animal welfare in the Maldives. In response, FWO, reported the incident to the Maldives Police Service, the Food and Drug Authority, and the Immigration Department, requesting an investigation into the matter. The individual involved was arrested by the police; however, he was later released due to insufficient evidence to support charges. He was later on deported for violation of visa. This incident also brought attention to concerns regarding the consumption of cat meat, which had been reported within certain migrant communities in the Maldives.FWO used the situation as an opportunity to advocate for stronger enforcement of animal welfare laws and to call for greater protections for stray animals. Following the incident, FWO continued its efforts to raise awareness about animal welfare through public campaigns and educational programs, emphasizing the importance of humane treatment and responsible pet ownership. The organization also engaged with local authorities to encourage better enforcement of animal protection laws.
2025 Olhu Hiyaa shelter disease outbreak
In October 2025, a disease outbreak occurred at the Olhu Hiyaa shelter in Hulhumalé, resulting in the deaths of numerous cats. Government statements indicated that a viral infection contributed to the fatalities, and shelter conditions, including animal health and vaccination status, were factors discussed by authorities and observers.Several non-governmental organisations participated in an inspection of the shelter following the outbreak and released a joint report outlining concerns related to ventilation, disease control, and facility management. According to publicly available information, the organisations involved in the inspection had previously expressed interest in assuming operational responsibilities for the shelter but were not selected to manage the facility.
Feline Welfare Organization has stated publicly that its involvement at the shelter was limited in duration and that it did not have operational responsibility at the time of the disease outbreak.Following the release of the inspection report, FWO provided documentation and visual evidence of the shelter's operational standards to address the concerns raised in the external report.
Ongoing challenges related to the shelter also include high operational costs, enforcement gaps in stray relocation and cruelty prevention, and broader issues in stray animal management across the Maldives.
Activism and achievements
The Feline Welfare Organization has been actively involved in advocating for the welfare of stray cats in the Maldives. The organization focuses on promoting humane treatment of animals and the implementation of sustainable animal management practices.Advocacy for stray cat management
FWO has played a significant role in advocating for humane solutions to the growing stray cat population in the Maldives. The organization promotes the TNR program as a primary method for managing the population, which involves trapping, neutering, and returning cats to their original locations. While TNR is widely recognized as an effective strategy to control stray animal numbers without resorting to euthanasia, its implementation is currently limited by existing government policies.Feeding programs
As part of its ongoing efforts to care for stray cats, FWO regularly feeds between 350 and 400 cats in Malé City alone. In addition to this, the organization has extended its feeding and stray management programs to six other local islands in the Maldives, working to provide consistent support for the welfare of stray animals outside of the capital. FWO's feeding programs in Malé and several islands are supported by donations, local businesses, and volunteers.Establishment of animal sanctuaries and shelters
FWO has advocated for the creation of sanctuaries and shelters for stray cats. The organization has supported the establishment of animal parks, such as the proposed animal park in Vaavu Thinadhoo, which aims to provide a safe and sustainable environment for various species. Additionally, FWO has been involved in efforts to develop a cat sanctuary in which is planned to include veterinary clinics, cat cafés, and educational programs for the public.The Olhu Hiyaa shelter in Hulhumalé, inaugurated by President Mohamed Muizzu on 2 November 2024, functions as a national facility for the management of stray cats in the Maldives. The shelter was designed to accommodate up to 1,000 cats and includes veterinary clinics, quarantine areas, and sterilisation facilities intended to support trap–neuter–return programmes.
Initially managed by the Malé City Council, operational responsibility for the shelter was transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare in February 2025. According to local media reports, Feline Welfare Organization has collaborated with government authorities in relation to the shelter, including providing donations and assisting with management during a short period in October 2025, when more than 127 cats were housed at the facility.