Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore

Frequently Asked Questions

Question

What types of animals are allowed to be kept as pets?

Answer

There are many types of animals which may be kept as pets. These include dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice, chinchillas, red-eared sliders (a type of terrapin), and many types of fancy birds and fish.

However, not all animals can be kept as pets in Singapore. Under the Wild Animals & Birds Act, our wild animals should not be caught or kept as pets. Similarly, imported wild animals such as snakes, lizards, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, monkeys and star tortoises cannot be kept as pets.

The penalty for keeping an illegal animal can be severe. Contact AVA at 6471 9987 if you are not sure what animals can be kept as pets.

Question

What dog breeds are allowed in HDB flats / private housing?

Answer

One dog of an approved breed is allowed in HDB flats. The approved breeds are small breed dogs. Click here for the full list of approved dog breeds in HDB flats.

For private housing estates check with the individual premises on the rules they have on pets.

Question

What rules & regulations do dog owners have to be aware of?

Answer

For the purpose of rabies control all dogs above the age of 3 months have to be licensed by AVA. By law, a dog has to be under leash control when it is in a public place. In addition, some big breed dogs such as the Bull Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd (and related crosses), Rottweiler and Perro de Presa Canario must be muzzled when in a public place.

For more information on dog licensing, click here

Additionally, under the Housing and Development Board (Animals) Rules 1989, HDB allows only one dog of an approved small breed per residential unit.

When you walk your dog, you must also clean up after him/her. Be prepared to do so by bringing along a plastic bag.

Dogs and other pets are also not allowed in eating establishments except pet cafes, unless they are guide dogs.

Beyond the basic regulations, responsible dog owners should also be considerate to others by making sure their dogs are not a nuisance eg excess barking, bad behaviour, aggressiveness. The best way to ensure an obedient dog is to train him/her or enroll in a dog obedience class with your dog!

Question

Where can I go to get my dog license? How much does it cost?

Answer

You can licence your dog at AVA's Centre for Animal Welfare and Control (CAWC) at 75 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 118507. Applications can be done in person or by mail or fax.

Online dog licensing services are available here

The licensing fee for a dog below 5 months of age or a sterilised dog is $14.00/year. The fee for an unsterilised dog is $70.00/year.

For more information, click here.

Question

I had a dog for a few years but I just found out about the dog licensing regulation. Can I licence it now and will I be penalised?

Answer

Yes, you should get your dog licensed at once. You will not be penalised if you apply for a licence. However, should AVA inspectors discover that you are keeping an unlicensed dog, you will be issued a composition fine and be required to take up a licence.

Question

I can no longer care for my pet. What should I do with it?

Answer

Find out why you are unable to care for your pet. If it is because of behavioural problems, try putting your pet through suitable training. You may also obtain help from your veterinarian or animal welfare groups that could help you resolve the problem.

If you really cannot keep your pet anymore, try to get it re-homed. You may also surrender your pet to the various animal welfare groups including the SPCA or to AVA's CAWC at 75 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 118507.

Pets should never be abandoned. It is an offence to abandon a pet. Upon conviction, the penalty for pet abandonment is up to $10,000, 12 months jail or both.

Question

If I come across an abused animal, how can I help? Who should I report to?

Answer

Animal cruelty cases can be reported to the AVA at 75 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 118507, Tel: 1800-476-1600. Obtain as much information about the case as possible, such asthe date and time of the offence, the location of the offence, the type of animal(s) involved and nature of cruelty involved.

Anyone found guilty of animal cruelty can be fine up to $10,000, imprisoned for up to 12 months or both.

Question

What is the penalty for animal cruelty?

Answer

Anyone found guilty of animal cruelty can be fine up to $10,000, imprisoned for up to 12 months or both.

Responsible Pet Ownership

Question

What is sterilisation?

Answer

Sterilisation, also known neutering, is a well-established and reliable method of preventing unwanted pets. It is a routine surgical procedure to remove the reproductive organs of animals. The pet will be under general anaesthesia during the sterilisation operation and so will not feel any pain then. Most pets recover within 24-48 hours after surgery and are back to their normal selves. Sterilisation can be performed (or carried out) on male and female cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs by a licensed veterinarian. Generally, dogs, cats and rabbits are sterilised at about 6 months. Some veterinarians sterilise pets at a younger age.

In Singapore, 15,000-20,000 cats and dogs are put down yearly. Many of these could have been great family pets but there are just not enough homes for them. Breeding your pet could very well add to this number because it is not easy to guarantee good homes for every pet – remember that not everyone wants a pet and not everyone will be a good pet owner. Taking into consideration that pets such as dogs, cats, hamsters and rabbits can have many more babies in a shorter time than humans, it is easy to see how pet overpopulation comes about. When you breed your pets, the babies also take away homes from those that are already homeless on the streets. This means breeding indirectly causes the deaths of these homeless animals that have to be put down.

It is highly unlikely that pets such as dogs and cats will ever become extinct because of the following main reasons:

· There is a huge population of dogs and cats in the world

· Pets can have many more babies in much shorter time than humans can

There are also health and behavourial advantages to sterilising a pet. Sterilising a pet while it is young reduces the risk of breast cancer and prevents womb infection in the female. In both male and female pets sterilisation can prevent cancers of the reproductive organs, particularly if the operation is done in a young animal.

Sterilised pets are also no longer driven by hormonal demands to find a mate, and are therefore generally calmer, more relaxed and make better house pets.

To prevent unwanted breeding in pets eg hamsters, that are not suitable for sterilisation male and female animals should be housed separately.

So, do not breed your pets. Sterilise them to prevent unwanted litters!

Question

How do I know when my pet is sick? When would I need to bring my pet to see a veterinarian?

Answer

Pet owners have to be prepared to bring pets to the veterinarian at least a few times (if not many more) in the pet’s lifetime. This means spending money for the medical fees and taking time out to bring the pet to the vet clinic – all part and parcel of pet ownership. Remember that veterinary procedures for a pet can run into the hundreds to the thousands.

For vaccinations

Vaccinations prevent pets from falling ill from contagious and sometimes fatal diseases. Young dogs and cats are given a series of vaccinations from about 6 weeks old to help them develop resistance against certain serious diseases. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on the type and frequency of vaccinations for your pet.

For check-ups

You may wish to bring your pet for a checkup when you first bring it home and then annually thereafter to ensure there’s nothing you’ve missed. Regular checkups are especially important as your pet gets older. As in humans, the chances of things going wrong are higher as pets age.

For injuries/illnesses

As pets can’t talk, you need to learn how to tell if your pet is sick by its behaviours and appearance. Some of the things to look out for that may indicate illness include:

· Loss of appetite

· Shortness of breath

· Diarrhoea

· Loss of fur

· Lack of normal activity

· Lameness

· Fever/coughing/sneezing

· Unusual/bad odour

· Cuts/wounds/injuries

You know your pet best and when you see anything out of the ordinary for your pet in terms of temperament, behaviour, appearance and personality, you may want to consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.

For operations

Pets may need an operation if they have a condition that requires it (eg infected womb, broken bone, tumour growths, hip dislocation.), or when they undergo routine procedures such as sterilisation (removal of reproductive organs to prevent unwanted litters, undesirable behaviours and some health problems).

Question

What is pet grooming? Do all pets need to be groomed?

Answer

Grooming is what an owner should do for the pet to keep it neat and tidy. This includes brushing/combing its coat, trimming its fur, cleaning the ears, bathing the pet and clipping over grown nails. Most pets benefit from some grooming. Some pets need more grooming than others. You will need to find out what type of grooming your pet needs so that you can give it the best care.

Question

What do I feed my pet?

Answer

To ensure a balanced diet, it is best to buy a reputable brand of commercially prepared food. The label should also indicate that the diet is 'complete' or 'balanced' for that type of animal. This takes the guessing out of what to feed your pet. You could also supplement your pet with small amounts of fresh food. This helps to add variety to your pet's diet.

Overfeeding a pet can lead to an over weight pet. Start by feeding your pet the recommended amount for its weight and lifestyle. Recording your pet's weight is a good way to monitor its weight. Looking and feeling your pet will also give you a good idea as to whether it is over weight. Move your fingers gently over its ribs. You should be able to feel its ribs when gentle pressure is applied. Seek advice from your veterinarian if in doubt.

Question

How do I train my pet?

Answer

Pets can be trained to various extents. Some can learn to do more things than others. Dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs can be toilet trained. Most pets can be taught how to play with toys that are suitable for them. Dogs can be trained to walk on a leash as well as to obey a range of commands. Dogs may be home trained or be enrolled in a dog obedience class.

Different pets respond to different training techniques. If you don’t see results, it could be that you are not using the correct technique. However, always train with patience and love! Remember that you should never lose your temper and hurt your pet during training. Training will take up a lot of your time so put aside some time on a regular basis for it.

In general, choose a quiet place where you and your pet can focus. Use rewards such as play, praise or food to reinforce positive behaviour i.e. when your pet has performed the trick, command or desirable behaviour (like going to the toilet in its litter box), give a reward. Pretty soon, your pet will understand that obeying the command or performing that behaviour will mean getting a reward.

Keep your expectations realistic. Some types of pets, or some individual pets may not be able to learn the tricks or commands that you teach it. Respect your pet and make training sessions fun for both of you.

For more specific step by step instructions to different training techniques check out training guides/books. A good way of training a pet dog is to go to dog training school with him/her.

Training your pet, especially a dog, is a really good idea because it helps you bond and understand your pet better. It can help to keep your pet out of trouble too!

Question

Should cats be kept indoors?

Answer

It is actually advisable to keep your pet cats indoors as it is much safer. Outdoors, your cat may get into all sorts of trouble such as fights, car accidents sickness and abuse. Cats may also not return. As long as you provide enough space and distractions like kitty toys and scratching posts (and of course yourself as kitty entertainment), your cat should be content with staying at home. After all, cats can sleep up to 18 hours a day! Would you rather your cat be at home in safety and comfort (in its own cosy bed) or outside in a dirty wet drain or perched precariously on some ledge? Did you also know that if your cat is outdoors and caught by pest control companies/neighbours, you may never see your cat again? It has also been estimated that an indoor cat might live up to 20 years but the life expectancy of a cat kept outdoors is less than 5 years.

Furthermore, unsterilised cats that are allowed to roam can breed, give rise to more unwanted cats and cause more animals to be homeless. Keeping your cat indoors would ensure this doesn’t happen. Consider sterilising your cats too, as this can help make them easier to manage and contented staying at home.

So, keep your cats indoors! Be a responsible cat owner.

Others

Question

Will my pet give me allergies or asthma?

Answer

Allergies and asthma are inherited conditions. A pet cannot give someone an allergy. However, if a person suffers from an allergy or asthma that is triggered by a particular type of pet, then it would not be advisable to keep that type of pet. Fish for example rarely, if ever trigger allergies or asthma.

Question

What is a microchip and what is it for?

Answer

The microchip is a grain-size inert electronic transponder that is implanted under the skin in the dog's neck behind the left ear or between the shoulders. The implantation of a microchip is relatively painless, akin to a vaccination and is permanent.

A unique identification number is stored in each microchip. Thus, implanting a microchip in your pet gives it a unique identification number and a permanent identity. This identity is useful for re-uniting lost pets with their ownersand in establishing rightful ownership if your stolen pet is found. The microchip number should be lodged with AVA.

Since 1996, all imported dogs are required to be microchipped. Dogs adopted from the various animal welfare groups, are also microchipped. You can bring your dog to our Centre located at 75, Pasir Panjang Road or one of the various veterinary clinics to scan for the presence of a microchip or to determine the microchip number. Dogs licensed after 1 September 2007 are required to be microchipped.

If your dog has recently been microchipped, you can inform AVA by writing or emailing us at ava_cawc@ava.gov.sg. A copy of the microchip barcode is required for our verification.