Pets in Maldives

Pet ownership in the Maldives does not have one nationwide shelter, adoption or relinquishment channel. Local Councils, including Malé City Council, can have enforcement or service roles. Malé City Council discussed a cat shelter and veterinary clinic for stray cats, including a temporary facility planned for up to 1,000 cats and a budget of MVR 1.9 million; current operation and charges have not been confirmed. Private or informal placement can provide a practical alternative, but no reliable national adoption or rescue register was identified. The MoAAW issues permits for importing and exporting live animals. The Live Animals Import Application Form PAHM-VS2 records the applicant, export country, import date, air or sea transport, flight or vessel number, holding place, purpose and details for each animal, including quantity, scientific name, common name, breed, age, sex and, where applicable, identification number. An import normally requires an original pet passport, an international veterinary certificate, a packing list, an invoice and an airway bill or Bill of Lading. A breeding letter, vaccination copy or proof of identity may also be required depending on the case. A pet shop needs an additional permit to sell imported goods. Importers that are companies, partnerships or other registered entities need the relevant registration evidence. The Quarantine Unit must receive pre-arrival information at least 24 hours before arrival through [email protected] or Agriculture Online. The notification should include the flight or vessel number, arrival date and copies of all required documents. Missing notification can delay clearance. Official sources did not state a national import fee or fixed processing period. The reviewed sources also did not establish a national species or breed catalogue, minimum housing dimensions, registration duty or microchip duty, so these points require confirmation for the specific animal and island. For international travel from the Maldives, the Live Animal Export Permit Application Form PAHM-VS3 records the consignor, consignee, origin, destination, port of entry, export date, air or sea transport, carrier number and purpose. The supporting documents are generally the pet passport, international veterinary certificate, packing list, invoice and airway bill or Bill of Lading, with a breeding letter where relevant. A MoAAW permit is not the same as an international veterinary certificate. The destination country and the airline or shipping carrier impose separate conditions. Act No 23/2025 contains 11 chapters covering keeping, breeding, trading, animal health, zoonosis, import, export, transport, sanctions, complaints and appeals. The responsible Ministry leads policy and implementation, while Local Councils have an enforcement role. The verified research does not give the exact date on which the Act entered into force; it states that commencement occurs within 90 days after Gazette publication. Check the current legal position before relying on a duty, sanction or appeal procedure. Veterinary access depends strongly on the atoll, island, transport links and the centralisation of services in Malé. A Veterinary Facility Registration Form covers new applications, renewals and re-issues and asks for an address including atoll and island. Supporting material can include identity or registration documents, Council or other permissions where required, a floor plan, an emergency evacuation plan and service, pricing and personnel plans. Separate registration exists for veterinary practitioners, but no current nationwide list of registered facilities or practitioners was published in the reviewed sources. MFDA approval is required before veterinary medicines are imported; imports must go through a registered veterinary medicine importer, and veterinary pharmacies require registration or licensing. The Approved Veterinary Medicines List provides the relevant product reference.