General information

What to know about the Cat Management Framework

Last updated 9 December 2025

The Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS), a cluster of the National Parks Board (NParks), announced the finalised Cat Management Framework on 11 May 2024. AVS has rolled out the framework, with a two-year transition period for cat licensing starting 1 September 2024. The framework comprises:

A mandatory licensing and microchipping scheme to enhance the welfare and traceability of pet cats that will be rolled out from 1 September 2024, with a two-year transition period till 31 August 2026;  
A Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage (TNRM) programme for community cats; and
Education and outreach on responsible pet cat ownership and community cat caregiving

Click on the links below to find out more

A photograph of a cat on a table next to a microchip applicator

Microchipping of cats

About microchipping and AVS microchipping drives

Pet ownership course

About the required online pet ownership course for application of cat licences

A photograph of a cat in front of a person using a tablet

Licensing of cats

Licensing requirements, fees, and process

A photograph of a brown tabby cat looking up at the camera

Cat ownership limits

How many cats you can keep depending on your residential type

A photograph of vets working on a cat in a surgical room

Pet Cat Sterilisation Support (PCSS) programme

AVS’ initiative to support the sterilisation and microchipping of pet cats in lower-income households

A photograph of a community cat perching behind the spokes of a bicycle

TNRM for community cats

How we manage the community cat population under the Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage (TNRM) Programme

The framework strives to improve the welfare and management of pet and community cats, while striking a balance between the differing views on keeping of cats and maintaining a harmonious living environment for all. 

The finalised framework incorporates the wide-ranging views of stakeholders and members of the public, through our public engagement exercises such as online surveys and focus group discussions. The latest public survey closed on 1 February 2024, and key results are as follows:

Number limits for cats in HDB flats:

About 65% of all respondents are supportive of or are neutral about allowing up to two cats in HDB flats
Of the remaining respondents, about equal proportions want more than, or fewer than, two cats in HDB flats. 13.5% of all respondents want more than two cats, while more than 12% want one cat or no cats to be allowed in HDB flats.

Number limits for cats in private premises:

About 70% of all respondents are supportive of or are neutral about allowing three cats and/or dogs in private premises.
About 10% of all respondents want fewer cats and/or dogs to be allowed, while about 7% want more to be allowed in private premises.

Please click here (opens in new tab) for the full media release on 11 May 2024.

Past media releases on the Cat Management Framework

3 September 2022 (opens in new tab): AVS launches public consultation on proposed framework to improve cat management and welfare

6 May 2023 (opens in new tab): AVS’ public survey findings show strong support for proposed approach to cat management

2 October 2023 (opens in new tab): AVS seeking views on proposed cat management framework with mandatory licensing for pet cats and a two-year transition period

31 August 2024 (opens in new tab): Pet Cat Licensing Scheme to Start on 1 September 2024

8 Feb 2025 (opens in new tab): More support to be provided to cat owners in 2025 with over 30 free microchipping drives planned

18 August 2025 (opens in new tab): More than 24,000 pet cats licensed since the start of the pet cat licensing schemeby the Animal & Veterinary Service in September 2024

1 September 2025 (opens in new tab): About 41,000 pet cats licensed since pet cat licensing scheme was rolled out in September 2024 under the Cat Management Framework

Do you have a question on the Cat Management Framework? Find out more here (opens in new tab)!