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Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS)

Free-roaming Dogs

How we manage the free-roaming dog population under the Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage (TNRM) Programme

Last updated 15 January 2026
A photograph of a free-roaming dog with a tipped left ear

Watch "Singapore Specials | The Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage Programme" to learn more about the TNRM programme for free-roaming dogs!  

Thumbnail for Singapore Specials | The Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage Programme

TNRM is a holistic and science-based approach to managing the free-roaming dog population where the top priority is to rehome them. Under this programme, free-roaming dogs are vaccinated, microchipped, sterilised and ear-tipped after capture. Dogs that are rehomed may be ear-tattooed instead. Those that cannot be rehomed are released at suitable locations to live out their lives naturally. Dog population management through sterilisation and return is recognised as a holistic approach by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).  

In November 2018, Mr Desmond Lee, then Minister for Social and Family Development and Second Minister for National Development, launched the five-year Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage (TNRM) programme for free-roaming dogs. The TNRM programme is a collaboration between the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS), Animal Welfare Groups (AWGs), veterinarians and other relevant stakeholders. 

The target for the programme was to sterilise more than 70% of the free-roaming dog population in Singapore within five years. AVS supported AWGs’ costs for pre and post-surgical boarding, microchipping, vaccination, and sterilisation of TNRM programme dogs.

Since its launch, about 80% of the free-roaming dog population has been sterilised. Over 4,000 dogs were captured with more than 60% rehomed, fostered, or sheltered. The TNRM programme for free-roaming dogs has since been extended. 

5 Years of TNRM

2023 marked the fifth year anniversary of TNRM. An update on the programme was released in an infographic, which covered the progress of the programme, statistics on the number of dogs trapped and rehomed, and more.

Download it here:

TNRM Programme for Free-roaming Dogs Update Infographic [PDF, 619KB]

Watch “Celebrating 5 Years of Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage (TNRM) Programme” to learn more about the TNRM programme after 5 years of its inception.

Thumbnail for Celebrating 5 Years of Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage (TNRM) Programme
An infographic on TNRM for free-roaming dogs
Resources:

Infographic: Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage programme for free-roaming dogs (English) [PDF, 4.1MB]