Starting September 1, 2024, a new pet licensing scheme in Singapore allows residents of Housing Board flats to legally keep cats at home, provided they are microchipped and licensed.
From their playful antics to their soothing purrs, cats have a way of making any space feel more like home. They’re low-maintenance, stress-busting companions—perfect for busy lives and small spaces in Singapore.
Now, if you love having a feline friend around, here’s a heads-up: starting this September, you can officially license your cat and keep them legally in your home. Yes, that’s right! For the first time since 1989, residents of Housing Board flats can legally have cats as pets!
Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Cat Licensing in Singapore
Back in May, the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) introduced a new framework that allows existing cat owners to keep their pets legally by licensing them during a two-year transition period. Licensing is available through the AVS Pet Animal Licensing System (PALS) starting September 1, and it’s free until August 31, 2026. After this period, having an unlicensed cat will be against the law under the Animals and Birds Act.
Under this new scheme, residents of HDB flats can have up to two cats (alongside one approved breed of dog). Private homes can have up to three cats or a combination of cats and dogs. If you already have more than the allowed number of cats, you can still keep them, but you must get them licensed within the transition period and ensure their health and welfare are well-maintained.
How to Get Your Cat Licensed:
- Apply Online: Use your cat’s microchip number to apply for a license at pals.avs.gov.sg. If you own more cats than allowed, you have to declare that you owned them prior to September 1, 2024.
- Take the Online Course: New cat owners must complete a free online pet ownership course at go.gov.sg/petownershipcourse, which covers basic pet care and responsible ownership.
- Get Your License: Approved licenses are valid for life for sterilized cats. For unsterilized cats, licenses are only issued for the transition period, and fees will increase after that.
Post-transition, unsterilized cats will face higher licensing fees, up to $230, depending on the license duration, compared to $35 for a sterilized cat with lifetime validity. Fines of up to $4,000 will be imposed on those who fail to comply with the new rules or neglect their pet cats.
Hence, cat owners must ensure their pets are safe by installing barriers like mesh or screens to prevent them from roaming or falling. When in public, cats should be kept under control with carriers or harnesses.
Are you a cat parent or thinking of becoming one? Well, now is the perfect time to get on board. Make sure to follow the new rules provided and ensure to give your feline friends the love and care they deserve. Meow!
Cover Image: Tan Kiat How
