Notice: You can apply for a cat licence for your pet cat via our Pet Animal Licensing System (PALS)starting from 1 September 2024. Cat owners will need to microchip their cats and complete a one-time free online pet ownership coursebefore applying for a cat licence. More information on cat licensing can be found under Cat Management Framework and Licensing a Pet.
Under the Animals and Birds (Licensing and Control of Cats and Dogs) Rules 2024, all cats and dogs must be licensed. This is for traceability in the event of an outbreak in disease, such as rabies. In such instances, the licensee is expected to produce the pet for examination, if required.
You can apply for a new cat/dog licence online via the Pet Animal Licensing System (PALS). Please note the information below before submitting your application.
Licensees are required to comply with the following requirements:
- Renewing your cat/dog’s licence before it expires via PALS*.
- Inform AVS of any change of licensee by initiating the transfer via PALS.
- Inform AVS if the address where the licensed cat/dog is kept has changed by updating the address via PALS.
- Inform AVS if the licensed cat/dog is missing, permanently exported, or has passed away by cancelling the cat/dog licence via PALS.
- Ensure that all other licensing conditions are met, which can be found here.
*For more information and step-by-step instructions on pet licensing e-services, clickhere.
Do note that all cats and dogs need to be properly confined. Cats must be kept under physical control in a public space while dogs must be leashed and properly supervised and controlled.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are allowed by HDB or your estate management to keep the cat/dog in the premises registered in your licence application. The cat/dog licence is notan approval to keep the cat/dog at the stated premises.
The licensee may be liable for an offence in the event of any breach of the rules or licensing conditions.
Licence fees
Licence fees (Before 1 September 2026)
| Licence Fees for dogs not kept in a farm* | |||||
| Category | One-year licence | Two-year licence | Three-year licence | One-time licence** | |
| Dogs below five months of age | S$15 per dog | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | |
| First three dogs | Sterilised: S$15 per dog Non-sterilised: S$90 per dog | Sterilised: S$25 per dog Non-sterilised: S$165 per dog | S$230 per non-sterilised dog | S$35 per sterilised dog | |
| Fourth and subsequent dog | S$180 per dog OR A reduced licence fee of S$15 for the fourth dog^ | S$325 per dog OR A reduced licence fee of S$25 for the fourth dog^ | S$460 per non-sterilised dog | S$460 per sterilised dog OR A reduced licence fee of S$35 for the fourth dog^ | |
*A 10% rebate is extended to licensees who make payment via GIRO, online, or via AXS. Prices quoted exclude the 10% rebate.
**You will be able to apply for a one-time licence for sterilised dogs that is valid throughout the life of the dog. Three-year licences for non-sterilised dogs will automatically be changed to a one-time licence when you update the dog's sterilisation status.
^Dog has to be a sterilised, obedience-trained mongrel adopted from our animal welfare rehoming partner.
Licence fees (From 1 September 2026 onwards)
| Licence Fees for cats/dogs not kept in a farm* | |||||
| Category | One-year licence | Two-year licence | Three-year licence | One-time licence** | |
| Cats/Dogs below five months of age | S$15 per cat/dog | N.A. | N.A. | N.A. | |
| First three cats and/or dogs | Sterilised: S$15 per cat/dog Non-sterilised: S$90 per cat/dog | Sterilised: S$25 per cat/dog Non-sterilised: S$165 per cat/dog | S$230 per non-sterilised cat/dog | S$35 per sterilised cat/dog | |
| Fourth and subsequent cat/dog | S$180 per cat/dog OR A reducedlicence fee of S$15 for the fourth cat/dog^ | S$325 per cat/dog OR A reduced licence fee of S$25 for the fourth cat/dog^ | S$460 per non-sterilised cat/dog | S$460 per sterilised cat/dog OR A reduced licence fee of S$35 for the fourth cat/dog^ | |
*A 10% rebate is extended to licensees who make payment via GIRO, online, or via AXS. Prices quoted exclude the 10% rebate.
**You will be able to apply for a one-time licence for sterilised cats/dogs that is valid throughout the life of the cat/dog. Three-year licences for non-sterilised cats/dogs will automatically be changed to a one-time licence when you update the dog's sterilisation status.
^Cat has to be sterilised and adopted from our animal welfare rehoming partner. Dog has to be a sterilised, obedience-trained local mixed breed adopted from our animal welfare rehoming partner.
Licensing of Specified dogs
Specified dogs
Planning to own a German Shepherd or Rottweiler? Such potentially dangerous dog breeds are listed under the First Schedule of theAnimals and Birds (Licensing and Control of Cats and Dogs) Rules 2024("Specified Dogs").These are breeds reported to be more aggressive, and additional measures such as muzzling, have been put in place to minimise chances of an attack.
For non-HDB property, only one dog of any breed from theSpecified dogs listcan be licensed and kept in each such premises.
For HDB property, no dog of any breed in thelist of Specified dogsis allowed to be kept under the Housing and Development Board (Animals) Rules 2024.
All dog breeds listed in Part 1 of the list of Specified dogs (except for those which have already been licensed) are currently not allowedinto Singapore, be it for sale, temporary visit, or permanent stay.
Specified dogs are subject to additional licensing conditions. You can be fined a maximum of S$5,000 if you do not comply with the rules or conditions.
A summary of the rules regarding Specified dog breeds, as well as the list of Specified dogs, can be foundhere.For more information, click on dog obedience training, insurance coverage, and Banker’s Guarantee.
