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.
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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
Transfer of licence
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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
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).
(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).
(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).
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).
(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).
(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).
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.
(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.
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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.