Initiatives in the pet sector

To better safeguard animal health and welfare in Singapore, AVS embarked on a review of the pet sector in August 2019. Since then, AVS has launched multiple initiatives and public consultations to raise animal welfare standards and promote responsible pet ownership. 

Here are some of our key milestones thus far: 

October 2019

Launched public and industry consultation to seek input on the pet landscape, starting with the dog breeding and pet boarding sectors 

March 2020

Introduced one-time licensing scheme for sterilised dogs 

October 2020

Set up Rehoming and Adoption Workgroup to improve the rehoming and adoption process of free-roaming dogs 

November 2020

Jointly published new vaccination guidelines for dogs and cats, a resource for veterinarians, with the Singapore Veterinary Association (SVA), as part of the “One Health” approach to combat antimicrobial resistance 

November 2021

Opened new Animal Quarantine Centre, which leverages technology to better monitor the health of imported cats and dogs 

January 2022

Introduced new guidelines for dog rehoming and adoption, and for dog training and behaviour rehabilitation 

March 2022

Opened new Centre for Animal Rehabilitation, Singapore’s first dedicated facility for animal behavioural rehabilitation 

April 2022

Implemented revised licence conditions for dog breeding and pet boarding sectors 

June 2022

Formalised expanded criteria of Project ADORE (ADOption & REhoming) for larger dogs and retired K9 sniffer dogs to be rehomed to HDBs 

December 2022

Introduced AVS-Accredited Certified Dog Trainer (ACDT) Scheme which provides a benchmark for competency in dog training 

July 2023

Implemented new licence conditions for cat breeding 

May 2024

Jointly published new guidelines on veterinary telehealth with the SVA as a resource for veterinarians and pet owners 

September 2024

Rolled out Cat Management Framework, starting with a two-year transition period for cat owners to license existing cats