Essential Animal Information

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Essential Animal Information

Essential information and contacts on the following subjects is available below:

Veterinarians & Vaccinations

There are many vets across the island. All are trained in outside Singapore - Australia, the UK or the US  - as the the country has no veterinary college.

Vets are licensed to practise in Singapore by the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA).

• See The AngloFILE for Veterinary Services

Dog Vaccination

Only dogs that have been imported are legally required to be vaccinated. Imported dogs need to have all vaccinations up to date, including rabies shots, no more than six months prior to arrival in Singapore. 

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Importing Pets & Animals to Singapore

However, it is custom to vaccinate dogs annually against:

• Canine Corona Virus
• Leptospirosis
• Canine Adeno Virus
• Distemper
• Parainfluenza
• Parvovirus
• Bordetella Bronchiseptica

Cat Vaccination

As with dogs, there is no law requiring cats to be vaccinated in Singapore unless they are imported, in which case they need to have all vaccinations up to date, including rabies shots.

Cats are generally vaccinated against:

• Rhinotracheitis
• Calicivirus
• Panleudopenia
• Chlamydia
• Feline leukemia
• Feline infectious peritonitis
• Rabies

The first four of the above are combined in the FVRCPC shot.

Identification & Registration

Microchipping dogs and cats

All dogs and cats entering Singapore must be identified with an ISO-compatible microchip. Animals with no microchip or an unreadable one will have a microchip inserted and the owner will have to bear the cost.

The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice, and is surgically implanted beneath the skin of the animal's neck. It helps to track down lost animals, and trace and control the spread of disease. Every dog that is found and brought to the SPCA is scanned for a microchip.

Note: It is not compulsory for animals born in Singapore (or for any adopted street dogs) to be microchipped, although it is encouraged.

Dog licensing

All dogs in Singapore over the age of three months require a dog license by law otherwise there is a fine. The cost of the licence varies according to the sex of the dog and whether it has been sterilised. An original sterilisation certificate must be produced if applying for the lower fee for sterilised dogs. 

Owners must comply with the AVA's Conditions of Licensing and must notify the AVA if their address changes or if the dog is transferred to a new owner. 

If an animal is found, the microchip is read with a machine to get owner information ( licence tags attached to the pet's collar are no longer required).

Dogs must be properly confined within the owner's premises. They must be leashed and properly controlled when they are in a public place. In some residential areas there are controls on the number and size of dog that may be kept. Again, check with the AVA.

A small one-off registration fee for a dog badge must be paid by all new applications. The licence must be renewed annually. 

• For online application for new dog licences: Click here

• See the AVA website for licence fees: Click here

Cats do not need to be licensed.

Buying a Pet

Pets can be bought from a licensed pet shop which should guarantee that the animal has had the necessary inoculations, and is healthy and fit. Pet shops are not legally bound to provide any papers regarding pedigree. A pet shop will be able to get the pedigree papers although this may cost extra as there is a fee for kennel club registration.

The SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) always has many pets needing homing.

Notice boards at supermarkets have notices posted by expatriates looking for new owners for their pets when they can't move away with them.

Owning a Pet

Controlled breeds

Some breeds of dog are controlled under The Schedule in the Rules and must be muzzled. These are:

• All breeds of Pit Bull
• Akita
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Tosa
• Bull Mastiff
• Bull Terrier
• Doberman Pinscher
• German Shepherd Dog (and related breeds)
• Rottweiler
• Perro de Presa Canario

Travelling with an animal

Pets are not permitted on any public transport. Some taxis will take pets providing this has been requested at the time of booking.

• If bringing an animal into the country see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page on Importing Pets & Animals to Singapore
• If taking an animal out of the country see the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page on Exporting Pet & Animals from Singapore

Animals lost and found

The AVA will usually only capture an animal if there has been a call from the public about a stray or a nuisance. The animal will be taken to the AVA premises where it can be reclaimed by owners for a fee. Dogs will be checked for licenses and if they are not licensed the owner will have to pay the license fee in addition to the impound fee. 

• See the Centre for Animal Welfare and Control webpage: Click here  

• For more information on this contact AVA
  Tel: 1800 476 1600

Reporting Abused or Injured Animals

Animal Cruelty is an offence under Singapore law; call the neighbourhood police station to report any cruelty.

The SPCA has a 24-hour emergency hotline for reporting injured, very sick or very young animals in need and animal cruelty. 

• Hotline: 6287-5355 ext 9

Dog droppings

Dog owners are required by law to pick up their animal's droppings. Failure to do so may result in a fine.

Animal Organisations

• SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
  At: 31 Mount Vernon Road, Singapore
  Tel: 6287 5355.
  The SPCA rescues many animals each year. It re-homes those suitable and humanely disposes of others. They also organise public education programmes and visit schools.
• SKC (Singapore Kennel Club)
  At: 170 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 588179
  Tel: 6469 4821 Fax: 6469 9118
  e-mail
  Website
  The SKC is a club for all dog lovers. They organise dog shows, obedience and agility classes and have a community service where owners can take their pet to homes and hospitals for "pet therapy".
• ASD (Action for Singapore Dogs)
  Website
  Action For Singapore Dogs is a society set up to help the stray and abandoned dogs in Singapore find good homes.
• The Cat Welfare Society
  At: Orchard Road P.O. Box 65, Singapore 912303.
  e-mail
  Website
  This charity aims to improve the welfare of stray cats in Singapore by encouraging humane ways to control their population.
• The Labrador and Golden Retriever Club
  Website
  A club for owners of Labradors and Golden Retrievers. They organise regular get-togethers in parks and on beaches

Further Information

• The Agri-food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) provides extensive information on all matters to do with keeping pets in Singapore, including licensing, choosing and looking after a pet and legal and licensing requirements.
  e-mail for general enquiries
  Website
• The Centre for Animal Welfare and Control of the AVA, 75 Pasir Panjang Road
  Singapore 118507 runs a number of telephone helplines:
  Tel: 6325 7625 (General Enquiries)
  Tel: 6471 9987 (Dog Licences)
  Tel: 1800-476 1600 (Toll-free Hotline for stray animals)
  Tel: 6471 9987 / 6471 9996 (Animal Welfare/Cruelty)
  Tel: 6471 9992 / 6471 9995 (Veterinary Advice)
  e-mail