PART 2 | LICENSING OF CATS AND DOGS |
| Division 1 — Keeping of cats and dogs as pets |
| Restrictions on keeping of cats and dogs as pets in any premises |
3.—(1) Subject to the requirement for a licence in paragraph (2), and paragraph (3), a person is only permitted to keep as pets in any premises —| (a) | up to 3 cats (without any dog); | | (b) | up to 3 dogs (without any cat), of which only one dog is permitted to be a specified dog; or | | (c) | cats and dogs, the aggregate of which must not exceed 3, and of which only one dog is permitted to be a specified dog. |
| (2) A person must not keep any cat or dog as a pet in any premises unless the person has a licence which permits the keeping of the cat or dog (as the case may be) in the premises. |
| (3) The Director‑General may, in any particular case, issue, vary or renew a licence under these Rules in respect of a cat or dog which permits the licensee to keep that cat or dog in any premises in excess of any restriction specified in paragraph (1). |
(4) This rule does not affect any prohibition or restriction in relation to the keeping of a cat or dog in any premises that is imposed —| (a) | by or under the authority of the Housing and Development Act 1959, the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act 2004 or any other written law; or | | (b) | by or under any agreement or licence relating to the use of the premises. |
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| Application for and issue of licence |
4.—(1) A person who intends to keep a cat or dog as a pet in any premises must submit an application for a licence in accordance with this rule.(2) The application under paragraph (1) —| (a) | in the case where the cat or dog (as the case may be) is sterilised — may be for a perpetual licence or a periodic licence; or | | (b) | in any other case — must be for a periodic licence. |
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(3) The application must be —| (a) | made to the Director‑General and in the form and manner required by the Director‑General; and | | (b) | accompanied by —| (i) | proof that the cat or dog (as the case may be) is implanted with a microchip; and | | (ii) | the particulars, information and documents required by the Director‑General. |
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(4) The application must also be accompanied by proof that the applicant has successfully completed the specified course on pet ownership if —| (a) | in the case of an application for a licence in respect of a cat —| (i) | the application is the applicant’s first application for a licence in respect of a cat under these Rules; and | | (ii) | the applicant has not, at any time before the application, applied for a licence in respect of a dog under these Rules; or |
| | (b) | in the case of an application for a licence in respect of a dog —| (i) | the application is the applicant’s first application for a licence in respect of a dog under these Rules; | | (ii) | the applicant has not, at any time before the application, applied for a licence in respect of a cat under these Rules; and | | (iii) | the applicant —| (A) | does not hold at the time of the application; and | | (B) | has not held at any time before the application, |
| a licence in respect of any dog issued under the revoked Rules. |
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(5) The Director‑General may, before deciding on the application, require the applicant (not being an applicant to whom paragraph (4) applies) to —| (a) | undergo the specified course on pet ownership in relation to the application (whether or not the applicant has previously completed the course in relation to any previous application under these Rules); and | | (b) | provide (within the time the Director‑General requires) proof that the applicant has successfully completed the course. |
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(6) The Director‑General may —| (a) | on payment of the appropriate licence fee, issue a licence permitting the applicant to keep the cat or dog (as the case may be) in the premises and for the duration specified in the licence; or | | (b) | refuse the application. |
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| (7) If the Director‑General refuses the application under paragraph (6)(b), the Director‑General must, if requested to do so by the applicant, state in writing the reasons for the refusal. |
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5.—(1) A licensee (called in this Part the transferor) may apply to transfer to another person (called in this Part the transferee) a licence in respect of a cat or dog which permits the keeping of the cat or dog (as the case may be) as a pet.(2) An application under paragraph (1) (called in this Part the transfer application) must be —| (a) | made to the Director‑General in the form and manner required by the Director‑General; and | | (b) | accompanied by the particulars, information and documents required by the Director‑General. |
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(3) The application must also be accompanied by proof that the transferee has successfully completed the specified course on pet ownership if —| (a) | in the case of a transfer application in respect of a cat, the transferee has not, at any time before the application, applied for a licence in respect of a dog under these Rules; or | | (b) | in the case of a transfer application in respect of a dog —| (i) | the transferee has not, at any time before the application, applied for a licence in respect of a cat under these Rules; and | | (ii) | the transferee —| (A) | does not hold at the time of the application; and | | (B) | has not held at any time before the application, |
| a licence in respect of any dog issued under the revoked Rules. |
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(4) The Director‑General may, before deciding on the transfer application, require the transferee (not being a transferee to which paragraph (3) applies) to —| (a) | undergo the specified course on pet ownership in relation to the transfer application (whether or not the transferee has previously completed the course in relation to any previous application under these Rules); and | | (b) | provide proof (within the time the Director‑General requires) that the transferee has successfully completed the course. |
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(5) The Director‑General may —| (a) | subject to paragraphs (6), (7) and (8), approve the transfer application by issuing to the transferee a licence permitting the transferee to keep the cat or dog (as the case may be) in the premises and for the duration specified in the licence; or | | (b) | refuse the application. |
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(6) A licence issued to the transferee under paragraph (5)(a) in respect of the cat or dog (as the case may be) is —| (a) | where a perpetual licence is held by the transferor in respect of the cat or dog (as the case may be) — a perpetual licence; or | | (b) | in any other case — valid for the remaining duration of the licence held by the transferor in respect of the cat or dog, as the case may be. |
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| (7) The issue of a licence under paragraph (5)(a) to the transferee is not subject to the payment of a licence fee, except for the case specified in paragraph (8). |
(8) The issue of a licence under paragraph (5)(a) to the transferee in respect of a cat or dog (X) is subject to the transferee paying the appropriate licence fee to the Director‑General if, at the time of the transfer application —| (a) | the transferor is holding a perpetual licence in respect of X; and | | (b) | the transferee keeps at the premises at which X is to be kept (if the transfer application is successful) —| (i) | 3 or more cats (without any dog); | | (ii) | 3 or more dogs (without any cat); or | | (iii) | cats and dogs, the aggregate of which is 3 or more. |
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| Conversion to perpetual licence — sterilised cats |
6.—(1) If —| (a) | a licence with a validity period of 3 years is issued in respect of an unsterilised cat, which permits the keeping of the cat as a pet; | | (b) | the cat is sterilised before the expiry of the licence; and | | (c) | the licensee provides, before the expiry of the licence, evidence of the sterilisation, in the form and manner required by the Director‑General, |
| the licence is converted to a perpetual licence with effect from the date on which the licensee provides the evidence of the sterilisation in accordance with sub‑paragraph (c). |
(2) If —| (a) | a licence with a validity period of 3 years is issued in respect of an unsterilised cat (X), which permits the keeping of X as a pet; | | (b) | a transfer application in respect of the licence is made in accordance with rule 5, and a licence in respect of X is issued to the transferee under rule 5(5)(a); | | (c) | the transferee, at the time of the transfer application, keeps at the premises at which X is to be kept (if the transfer application is successful) —| (i) | not more than 2 cats (without any dog); | | (ii) | not more than 2 dogs (without any cat); or | | (iii) | a cat and a dog; |
| | (d) | X is sterilised before the expiry of the licence issued to the transferee; and | | (e) | the transferee provides, before the expiry of the licence issued to the transferee, evidence of the sterilisation, in the form and manner required by the Director‑General, |
| the licence is converted to a perpetual licence with effect from the date on which the transferee provides the evidence of the sterilisation in accordance with sub-paragraph (e). |
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(3) If —| (a) | a licence with a validity period of one year or 2 years is issued in respect of an unsterilised cat before 1 September 2026, which permits the keeping of the cat as a pet; | | (b) | the cat is sterilised before 1 September 2026; and | | (c) | the licensee provides, before 1 September 2026, evidence of the sterilisation, in the form and manner required by the Director‑General, |
| the licence is converted to a perpetual licence with effect from the date on which the licensee provides the evidence of the sterilisation in accordance with sub‑paragraph (c). |
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(4) If —| (a) | a licence with a validity period of one year or 2 years is issued in respect of an unsterilised cat (Y), which permits the keeping of Y as a pet; | | (b) | a transfer application in respect of the licence is made in accordance with rule 5, and a licence in respect of Y is issued to the transferee under rule 5(5)(a), before 1 September 2026; | | (c) | Y is sterilised before 1 September 2026; and | | (d) | the transferee provides, before 1 September 2026, evidence of the sterilisation, in the form and manner required by the Director‑General, |
| the licence is converted to a perpetual licence with effect from the date on which the transferee provides the evidence of the sterilisation in accordance with sub‑paragraph (d). |
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| Conversion to perpetual licence — sterilised dogs |
7.—(1) If —| (a) | a licence with a validity period of 3 years is issued in respect of an unsterilised dog on or after 1 September 2024, which permits the keeping of the dog as a pet; | | (b) | the dog is sterilised before the expiry of the licence; and | | (c) | the licensee provides, before the expiry of the licence, evidence of the sterilisation, in the form and manner required by the Director‑General, |
| the licence is converted to a perpetual licence with effect from the date on which the licensee provides the evidence of the sterilisation in accordance with sub‑paragraph (c). |
(2) If —| (a) | a licence with a validity period of 3 years is issued in respect of an unsterilised dog (A) on or after 1 September 2024, which permits the keeping of A as a pet; | | (b) | a transfer application in respect of the licence is made in accordance with rule 5, and a licence in respect of A is issued by the Director‑General to the transferee under rule 5(5)(a); | | (c) | the transferee, at the time of the transfer application, keeps at the premises at which A is to be kept (if the transfer application is successful) —| (i) | not more than 2 cats (without any dog); | | (ii) | not more than 2 dogs (without any cat); or | | (iii) | a cat and a dog; |
| | (d) | A is sterilised before the expiry of the licence issued to the transferee; and | | (e) | the transferee provides, before the expiry of the licence issued to the transferee, evidence of the sterilisation, in the form and manner required by the Director‑General, |
| the licence is converted to a perpetual licence with effect from the date on which the transferee provides the evidence of the sterilisation in accordance with sub‑paragraph (e). |
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(3) If —| (a) | a licence with a validity period of 3 years is issued in respect of an unsterilised dog under the revoked Rules; | | (b) | the licence is valid under these Rules; | | (c) | the dog is sterilised (whether before, on or after 1 September 2024) before the expiry of the licence; and | | (d) | the licensee provides, on or after 1 September 2024 but before the expiry of the licence, evidence of the sterilisation, in the form and manner required by the Director‑General, |
| the licence is converted to a perpetual licence with effect from the date on which the licensee provides the evidence of the sterilisation in accordance with sub‑paragraph (d). |
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(4) If —| (a) | a licence with a validity period of 3 years is issued in respect of an unsterilised dog (B) under the revoked Rules and the licence is valid under these Rules; | | (b) | a transfer application in respect of the licence is made in accordance with rule 5, and a licence in respect of B is issued to the transferee under rule 5(5)(a); | | (c) | the transferee, at the time of the transfer application, keeps at the premises at which B is to be kept (if the transfer application is successful) —| (i) | not more than 2 cats (without any dog); | | (ii) | not more than 2 dogs (without any cat); or | | (iii) | a cat and a dog; |
| | (d) | B is sterilised before the expiry of the licence issued to the transferee; and | | (e) | the transferee provides, before the expiry of the licence issued to the transferee, evidence of the sterilisation, in the form and manner required by the Director‑General, |
| the licence is converted to a perpetual licence with effect from the date on which the transferee provides the evidence of the sterilisation in accordance with sub‑paragraph (e). |
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| Renewal and cancellation of licence, etc. |
8.—(1) Except where paragraph (2) applies, a licensee must, before the expiry of a licence issued under rule 5(5)(a) (or treated as issued under these Rules) in respect of a licensed animal, renew the licence by —| (a) | paying to the Director‑General the appropriate licence fee; and | | (b) | providing to the Director‑General the particulars, information and documents required by the Director‑General. |
(2) If a licensed animal —| (a) | has died or is missing; or | | (b) | is no longer being kept by the licensee for any other reason, |
| the licensee must, within the time specified in the licence conditions, notify the Director‑General. |
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| (3) If paragraph (2)(b) applies in respect of a licensed animal, the licensee must also provide to the Director‑General the particulars of the person who is keeping the licensed animal. |
(4) A licence issued under rule 5(5)(a) (or treated as issued under these Rules) in respect of a licensed animal is cancelled —| (a) | where the licensee informs under paragraph (2)(a) that the licensed animal has died or is missing — upon the licensee providing documentary proof of that fact under that provision; or | | (b) | where the licensee informs under paragraph (2)(b) that the licensee is no longer keeping the licensed animal for any other reason — when the licensed animal becomes the subject of another licence issued under these Rules. |
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| Licensee’s obligations for dog |
9.—(1) A licensee with a licence for a dog must not allow the dog to be in a public place unless, at all times —| (a) | the dog is kept on a leash; and | | (b) | the dog is securely fitted with a muzzle that is sufficient to prevent the dog from biting any individual if —| (i) | the dog is a specified dog; or | | (ii) | in the case of any other dog — a licence condition requires the dog to be fitted with a muzzle when the dog is in a public place. |
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(2) A licensee with a licence for a specified dog which is of any breed of dogs specified in Part 1 of the First Schedule must, within the period specified in the licence conditions —| (a) | if the dog is above 6 months of age — have the dog sterilised; | | (b) | have in force a policy of insurance approved by the Director‑General for an amount of not less than $100,000 to cover any injury to individuals or animals, or damage to property, that may be caused by the dog; | | (c) | provide to the Director‑General security in the form of a banker’s guarantee for $5,000; and | | (d) | subject the dog to undergo applicable training. |
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(3) A licensee with a licence for a specified dog which is of any breed of dogs specified in Part 2 of the First Schedule must, within the period specified in the licence conditions —| (a) | have in force a policy of insurance approved by the Director‑General for an amount of not less than $100,000 to cover any injury to individuals or animals, or damage to property, that may be caused by the dog; | | (b) | provide to the Director‑General security in the form of a banker’s guarantee for $2,000; and | | (c) | subject the dog to undergo applicable training. |
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| (4) Paragraph (2)(d) or (3)(c) does not apply in respect of a specified dog if the licence in respect of the dog is issued under the revoked Rules before 15 November 2010. |
(5) The Director‑General may forfeit the security provided by a licensee under paragraph (2)(c) or (3)(b) in respect of a specified dog if —| (a) | the licensee contravenes any requirement in paragraph (1)(a) or (b)(i); or | | (b) | the dog is reported as missing. |
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| (6) The Director‑General may give a direction to any licensee who is permitted to keep any dog that is not a specified dog to comply with all or any of the requirements specified in paragraph (2) or (3)(b). |
| (7) For the purposes of paragraph (6), a reference to a specified dog in paragraphs (2) and (3) is a reference to the dog mentioned in paragraph (6). |
| (8) A licensee who is given a direction by the Director‑General under paragraph (6) must comply with the direction within the period specified in the direction. |
(9) If a licensee is given a direction under paragraph (6) to provide security to the Director‑General, the Director‑General may forfeit the security if —| (a) | the licensee contravenes any requirement in paragraph (1)(a) or (b)(ii); or | | (b) | the dog is reported as missing. |
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| (10) In this rule, “applicable training” means any type of training regimen specified by the Director‑General and set out at the Internet website accessible at https://go.gov.sg/dogtraining. |
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Division 2 — Keeping of cats and dogs for purpose of
breeding or sale |
| Restrictions on keeping of cats and dogs for purpose of breeding or sale |
10. A person must not keep any cat or dog, any number of cats or dogs, or any number of cats and dogs, in any premises for the purpose of breeding or sale, unless —| (a) | the premises are licensed premises; and | | (b) | the person has a licence which permits the person to do so. |
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| Application for and issue of licence |
11.—(1) An application for a licence mentioned in rule 10(b) must be —| (a) | made to the Director‑General and in the form and manner required by the Director‑General; and | | (b) | accompanied by the particulars, information and documents required by the Director‑General. |
(2) On receipt of an application under paragraph (1), the Director‑General may —| (a) | on payment of the appropriate licence fee, issue a licence to the applicant permitting the keeping, in the licensed premises specified in the licence, of not more than the maximum number of cats or dogs, or cats and dogs, specified in the licence; or | | (b) | refuse the application. |
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| (3) The licence issued by the Director‑General under paragraph (2)(a) is valid for the duration specified in the licence. |
| (4) If the Director‑General refuses the application under paragraph (2)(b), the Director‑General must, if requested to do so by the applicant, state in writing the reasons for the refusal. |
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12.—(1) This rule applies to and in relation to a licensee that holds a licence issued under rule 11(2)(a).(2) Subject to paragraph (3), a licensee with a licence that permits the keeping of cats or dogs, or cats and dogs, in any licensed premises for the purpose of sale must not, at any point in time, keep in the licensed premises for that purpose —| (a) | more than 200 cats (if the premises does not have any dog); | | (b) | more than 200 dogs (if the premises does not have any cat); or | | (c) | more than 200 cats and dogs. |
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| (3) Paragraph (2) does not allow the licensee to keep cats or dogs, or cats and dogs, in excess of the maximum number of cats or dogs, or cats and dogs, permitted by the licence to be kept in the licensed premises for the purpose of sale. |
| (4) The licensee must ensure that each cat or dog kept in the licensed premises is implanted with a microchip. |
| (5) The licensee must notify the Director‑General of any change in the particulars of the cats or dogs included in the licence within 14 days after the occurrence of the change. |
(6) Without limiting paragraph (5), the licensee must notify the Director‑General that any cat or dog included in the licence —| (a) | has died or is missing; or | | (b) | is no longer being kept by the licensee for any other reason. |
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| (7) Paragraph (5) does not apply to any change of address of the licensed premises. |
| (8) After considering the change mentioned in paragraph (5) and any additional information provided by the licensee under paragraph (11), the Director‑General may update the particulars of the cats or dogs included in the licence. |
| (9) If the number of cats or dogs, or cats and dogs, kept in any licensed premises exceeds the maximum number of cats or dogs, or cats and dogs, permitted by the licence to be kept in the licensed premises, the licensee must apply to the Director‑General to vary the licence within 14 days after the occurrence of the change. |
(10) After considering an application under paragraph (9) and any additional information provided by the licensee under paragraph (11), the Director‑General may vary the licence issued to the licensee in relation to the licensed premises, subject to the payment of an additional fee by the licensee, the amount of which is —| (a) | the difference between the licence fee paid for the licence to be varied and the licence fee which would be payable if a new licence were to be issued in respect of the number of cats or dogs, or cats and dogs, kept at the licensed premises after the change mentioned in paragraph (9); and | | (b) | adjusted pro‑rata according to the proportion that the remaining validity period (rounded to the nearest month) of the licence to be varied bears to the total validity period of that licence. |
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| (11) The Director‑General may, in relation to a notification under paragraph (5) or an application under paragraph (9), require the licensee to provide any additional information the Director‑General requires. |
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13. A licensee that holds a licence issued under rule 11(2)(a) may renew the licence before the expiry of the licence by —| (a) | paying to the Director‑General the appropriate licence fee; and | | (b) | providing to the Director‑General the particulars, information and documents required by the Director‑General. |
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| Division 3 — Miscellaneous |
14.—(1) The Director‑General may issue, renew or vary a licence under these Rules subject to any condition that the Director‑General thinks fit.| (2) The Director‑General may, at any time, vary, substitute or revoke any existing condition of a licence or impose any new condition. |
| (3) A licensee must comply with any condition of the licence. |
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15.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the licence fee payable for the issue of a licence, or renewal of a licence issued, under rule 4(6)(a), or rule 5(5)(a) read with rule 5(8), to keep a cat or dog as a pet in any premises is specified in Part 1 of the Second Schedule.| (2) The licence fee payable during the period from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2026 (both dates inclusive) for the issue of a licence under rule 4(6)(a), or rule 5(5)(a) read with rule 5(8), to keep a cat as a pet in any premises is specified in Part 2 of the Second Schedule. |
| (3) The licence fee payable for the issue of a licence, or renewal of a licence issued, under rule 11(2)(a) to keep any cat or dog, any number of cats or dogs, or any number of cats and dogs, in any licensed breeding premises for the purpose of breeding is specified in Part 3 of the Second Schedule. |
| (4) The licence fee payable for the issue of a licence, or renewal of a licence issued, under rule 11(2)(a) to keep any cat or dog, any number of cats or dogs, or any number of cats and dogs, in any licensed premises for the purpose of sale is specified in Part 4 of the Second Schedule. |
| (5) The Director‑General may, in any particular case, waive or refund, wholly or in part, any licence fee payable or paid under these Rules. |
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| Change of premises where cats and dogs kept, etc. |
16.—(1) In the case of a licence which permits the keeping of any cat or dog as a pet in any premises, the licensee must not keep the animal, or cause or permit the animal to be kept, in any other premises (except an animal infirmary) for a period longer than the time specified in the licence conditions, without the prior written approval of the Director‑General.| (2) If the cat or dog mentioned in paragraph (1) is kept in an animal infirmary for a period longer than the time specified in the licence conditions, the licensee must, as soon as it is practicable to do so, inform the Director‑General. |
| (3) In the case of a licence which permits the keeping of any cat or dog, any number of cats or dogs, or any number of cats and dogs, in any licensed premises for the purpose of breeding or sale, the licensee must not keep any cat or dog included in the licence in any other licensed premises for the purpose of breeding or sale without the prior written approval of the Director‑General. |
| (4) The licensee mentioned in paragraph (1) or (3) must apply, in writing and within the time specified in the licence conditions, to the Director‑General for approval of the change of the premises specified in the licence for the keeping of the cat or dog, as the case may be. |
| (5) Where the Director‑General refuses to approve the change of premises under paragraph (4), the Director‑General must, if requested to do so by the licensee, state in writing the reasons for the refusal. |
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| Change of licensee’s address |
17.—(1) A licensee must inform the Director‑General in writing of any change in the licensee’s address as stated in the licence within 28 days after the change.| (2) Where the licensee’s address stated in the licence is the licensee’s residential address, and the licensee has made a report of the change of his or her residential address under section 10 of the National Registration Act 1965, the licensee is deemed to have complied with paragraph (1) in respect of the change in the licensee’s residential address. |
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18.—(1) If a licence which permits the keeping of any cat or dog as a pet in any premises, is revoked under section 62 of the Act, the licensee must, within 7 days after the date on which the revocation takes effect —| (a) | surrender to the Director‑General the cat or dog to which the licence relates; or | | (b) | with the prior written approval of the Director‑General, transfer the custody of the cat or dog to another person. |
(2) If a licence which permits the keeping of any cat or dog, any number of cats or dogs, or any number of cats and dogs, in any licensed premises for the purpose of breeding or sale, is revoked under section 62 of the Act, the licensee must, within 7 days after the date on which the revocation takes effect —| (a) | surrender to the Director‑General any cat or dog included in the licence; or | | (b) | with the prior written approval of the Director‑General, transfer the custody of the cat or dog to another person. |
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| (3) If a licensee fails to comply with paragraph (1) or (2), the Director‑General may impound any cat or dog mentioned in that paragraph and dispose of it in any manner the Director‑General thinks fit. |
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