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Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS)

Animals that can be kept as pets

A list of animals that can and cannot be kept as pets in Singapore

Last updated 17 December 2025

Animals that can be kept as pets 

Before you make the decision to keep a pet, you should be aware whether the animal is allowed to be kept as a pet in Singapore.

The following animals are approved as pet animals in Singapore:

Approved companion animals

Dogs 

Most breeds of dogs are allowed to be kept as pets in Singapore. However, certain breeds are subject to additional licensing requirements.  

For more information regarding Specified Dog Breeds, please refer to this page.  

Cats 

Most breeds of cats are allowed to be kept as pets in Singapore, except first to fourth generation Bengal or Savannah cat crosses. 

Small Mammals 

The types of small mammals allowed to be kept as pets in Singapore: 

  • Rabbits 

  • Mice 

  • Hamsters 

  • Guinea pigs 

  • Gerbils 

  • Chinchillas 

Approved wildlife

Under the Wildlife Act, a person must not intentionally keep or feed any wildlife in any place except with the Director-General, Wildlife Management’s written approval to do so. The following wildlife species are approved by the Director-General to be kept as pets: 

Reptiles and Amphibians 

  • Red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) 

  • Malayan box turtle (Cuora amboiensis) 

  • Green tree frog (Litoria caerulea) 

  • American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) 

  • Crab-eating frog (Fejervarya cancrivora) 

Birds 

All Birds except house crow (Corvus splendens), white-vented or Javan myna (Acridotheres javanicus), common myna (Acridotheres tristis), feral pigeon (Columba livia), and birds which are prescribed as protected wildlife species. 

Poultry such as chickens, ducks, and peacocks are only allowed on private properties with a limit of 10 birds per household. 

Fish 

All fish except piranhas and fish which are prescribed as protected wildlife species. 

Invertebrates

All invertebrates found in Singapore, except tarantulas, scorpions, and invertebrates which are prescribed as protected wildlife species. 

Conditions for keeping the abovementioned wildlife species as pets

  • The wildlife must be accompanied by a CITES permit of Certificate of Origin in respect of the wildlife if it is a Malayan box turtle or any bird, fish or invertebrate which is listed in the CITES Appendices. 

  • The wildlife is strictly not for commercial sale, re-export, public display, transfer, nor breeding purposes. 

  • The wildlife must only be kept within your residential premises and not be displayed to the public. Exceptions for public display may be granted in respect of birds which are approved as pets. 

  • The wildlife must be housed in a secure and escape-proof enclosure. 

  • The wildlife must not be released anywhere without written approval from the Director-General or any other relevant authorities. 

  • The person keeping the wildlife must comply with any other conditions that may be imposed from time to time by the Director-General.  

 The person keeping the wildlife is also reminded to comply with all other relevant provisions under the Animals and Birds Act (Cap. 7), and all other relevant laws, regulations, by-laws and rules of all relevant authorities. 
 
The conditions may be amended at any time without notice. 
 
The approval and conditions are valid as of 1 October 2020. 

Animals that cannot be kept as pets 

Singapore does not allow the keeping of certain animals as pets for the following reasons: 

  1. Introduces and spreads diseases 

Diseases from wildlife could be introduced and spread to humans and domestic animals. 

  1. Causes imbalance in the animal’s native ecosystem

Collection of wild animals for trade will lead to ecosystem imbalance and threaten the survival of endangered species. 

  1. Compromises the welfare of animals  

Unsuitable living conditions, poor diet, and pet owner's lack of knowledge of the proper care for the animal may be detrimental to the animal’s welfare. 

  1. Affects Singapore’s biodiversity 

If non-native wildlife were released in the wild due to abandonment or escape, it may affect Singapore’s biodiversity. 

  1. Threatens public safety 

Escaped or abandoned animals may cause nuisance, fear, and trauma to the general public. 

The following animals are not allowed as pets in Singapore: 

Unapproved animals and wildlife

Mammals 

  • Hedgehogs  

  • Sugar gliders 

  • Slow lorises 

Reptiles and Amphibians 

  • All species of snakes 

  • All species of tortoises including the Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans) 

  • All species of lizard including iguanas 

  • All species of salamanders including the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) 

Birds

  • House crow (Corvus splendens),

  • White-vented or Javan myna (Acridotheres javanicus)

  • Common myna (Acridotheres tristis)

  • Feral pigeon (Columba livia)

  • All birds prescribed as protected wildlife species

Invertebrates 

  • All species of tarantulas 

  • All species of scorpions 

Fish 

  • Piranhas