Rifq service will follow global practices: Municipality chief

Muscat: The new Rifq service launched by Muscat Municipality to manage, care for, and rehabilitate stray and loose animals, including cats, dogs, and other species is the first of its kind in the Sultanate.

Ahmed Mohammed al Humaidi, Chairman of Muscat Municipality, in an interview, said, 'The service is an initiative by Muscat Municipality to care for and rehabilitate stray and loose animals. We have learned about the experiences of other countries in dealing with these animals and have established a center or headquarters for this activity.'

The initiative seeks to find effective solutions to reduce the impact of stray and loose animals by taking effective measures that will ensure public health and create a safe and sustainable environment in Muscat Governorate.



The initiative is based on global practices in dealing with stray animals and includes the process of catching these animals, sterilizing them, and then returning them to their natural environment. It will also provide comprehensive medical care for these animals, which also limits the transmission of infectious diseases to humans from them.

People can report about stray channels through dedicated channels, including by calling the call center, or through the municipality's smart application called Baladiyati, after which the team will visit the site where these animals are located, he said.

They will be caught, sterilized, and cared for by specialized teams that have been trained inside and outside the Sultanate. 'We are ready to share experiences with other governorates and will expand the initiative to include other types of animals.'

This initiative is aimed at ensuring animal welfare, preserving biodiversity, and promoting public health by creating a more harmonious and compassionate community. Muscat Municipality had earlier floated bids for the project to manage and control stray dogs in the city, especially in residential areas.