The Feline Welfare Organization (FWO) is a Maldivian non-governmental organisation dedicated to the protection, care, and humane management of stray and community cats. Established on 22 August 2023, the organisation focuses on advocacy, public education, and the promotion of humane animal-management practices, including trap-neuter-return (TNR), responsible ownership, and institutional reform in animal welfare governance.

FWO has played a significant advocacy role in the development of the Maldives’ first national Animal Welfare legislation, contributing to public awareness, stakeholder consultations, and civil-society mobilisation that supported the introduction of formal legal protections against animal cruelty. The organisation is widely recognised for helping elevate animal welfare from a community issue to a national policy priority.

A major milestone in FWO’s work is its role in operating Olhu Hiyaa, the first dedicated cat shelter and sanctuary in the Maldives, located in Hulhumalé Phase II. In September 2025, responsibility for the management and care of the Olhu Hiyaa facility was formally awarded to Feline Welfare Organization by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare. Since then, FWO has been responsible for the shelter’s governance, daily operations, animal care, and coordination with veterinary services, marking the first time a Maldivian civil-society organisation has been entrusted with the management of a national animal-welfare facility.

Through advocacy, institutional partnerships, and direct care, FWO continues to work toward sustainable, humane solutions for animal welfare in the Maldives.

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Feline Welfare Organization

Olhu Hiyaa is the first dedicated pet care facility and cat shelter in the Maldives. Opened on 2 November 2024 by the President of the Maldives, it was established to provide humane shelter, veterinary care, quarantine, and treatment for stray cats from the greater Malé region. The facility includes a quarantine area, clinic, laboratory, pharmacy, and recreational spaces for resident animals.Originally developed under government leadership and inaugurated by national authorities, Olhu Hiyaa now functions as a structured environment for the care and medical support of stray cats, helping reduce street overpopulation and improve feline health outcomes.

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