Come Sept 1, 2024, residents of Housing Board flats will legally be allowed to keep pet cats in their homes for the first time since 1989. - Photo: ST
SINGAPORE: When the pet cat licensing scheme kicks in Sunday (Sept 1), cat owners in Singapore can begin applying for licences for their feline family members.
This also means that residents of Housing Board flats will legally be allowed to keep pet cats in their homes for the first time since 1989.
Sept 1 marks the start of a two-year transition period until Aug 31, 2026, to help cat owners ease into the changes, said NParks’ Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) and the Housing Board (HDB) in a joint statement on Aug 31.
By the end of the transition period, all pet cats must be microchipped and licensed.
On Sept 1, 2026, keeping unlicensed pet cats will be an offence under NParks’ Animals and Birds Act.
Here’s what you need to know about the new scheme.
How many cats am I allowed to have?
From Sept 1, up to two cats (and one dog of an approved breed, according to current limits) will be allowed in each flat. Private premises can house up to a combination of three cats or dogs.
Those with more cats than the stipulated limits will be allowed to keep all their existing pet cats - but only if they license the cats within the transition period, and are able to ensure that the cats’ health and welfare are taken care of.
However, if the number of licensed pet cats already exceeds the limit, owners will not be able to license additional cats after the transition period.
The keeping of additional pets will be subject to approval by AVS, as well as HDB for those residing in flats.
How can I apply for a licence?
Cat owners are required to apply for a licence using their cat’s microchip number via AVS’ Pet Animal Licensing System (PALS) at https://pals.avs.gov.sg/.
All pet cats are to be microchipped by a licensed veterinarian.
When applying for the pet cat licences, owners will be required to declare that their cats were owned prior to Sept 1, 2024.
All first-time cat licence applicants will also need to complete a one-time free online pet ownership course at https://go.gov.sg/petownershipcourse on basic pet care skills and responsible pet ownership before they can be issued a cat licence.
Licensing will be free during the transition period.
Successful applications will see one-time licences with lifetime validity issued for sterilised cats. For unsterilised cats, licences covering the transition period will be issued.
After the two-year transition period, licensees who have not sterilised their cats will be subject to higher fees for a licence with a limited validity period, compared to those with sterilised cats.
For example, after Sept 1, 2026, licensing a sterilised cat will cost $35 for a one-time licence with lifetime validity. For unsterilised cats, only licences with validity periods of one to three years will be issued.
These can cost up to $230, depending on the licence duration. After the licence expires, it has to be renewed and paid for again.
Is my cat allowed to roam, and do I have to mesh my windows?
Cat owners in HDB flats and private premises are advised to comply with the following cat-keeping rules.
Owners must ensure cats are kept in a safe environment, and take reasonable steps to protect their cats from hazards. This includes installing mesh, grilles, screens, or other barriers to prevent the cats from roaming freely or falling from a height.
When in public, cat owners will need to ensure that their cats are kept under physical control, and are not allowed to roam freely. This includes placing their cat in a carrier or using a harness.
After the transition period, enforcement actions will kick in.
If the authorities receive feedback that these rules are being flouted, owners will be advised to take the necessary mitigation measures. For cats in flats, HDB will work closely with AVS to engage owners and advise them on responsible cat ownership.
If such owners repeatedly refuse to cooperate and manage their pets properly despite advisories from the authorities, after they have been given sufficient time to do so, HDB may take enforcement action.
Offenders may face a fine of up to $4,000.
What sterilisation programmes are my cat eligible for?
AVS said it strongly encourages cat owners to sterilise their cats before licensing them.
Sterilising cats will not only prevent unintended breeding, but offers health benefits to the cats as well. They have a reduced risk of certain cancers, and are less likely to roam and caterwaul.
AVS’ Pet Cat Sterilisation Support (PCSS) programme for pet cats will also start from Sept 1.
The PCSS programme supports low-income households by providing free sterilisation and microchipping for their pet cats. For more information on eligibility and registration, visit https://go.gov.sg/avs-pcss.
Are there plans for mandatory sterilisation?
AVS said it has heard strong calls from some stakeholders for the mandatory sterilisation of pet cats. It also recognises that there are those who feel strongly about not sterilising their cats for various reasons.
“Making sterilisation mandatory for pet cats may inadvertently deter those who have strong views against sterilisation or who are unable to sterilise their cats, from licensing and microchipping their cats, which is key for traceability to safeguard public and animal health,” said AVS.
AVS added that during the two-year transition period, it will review pet cat sterilisation rates and assess if there is a need to introduce enhanced measures for sterilisation, including making pet cat sterilisation mandatory after the transition period. - The Straits Times/ANN
