Summary

Since 1 September 2026, keeping an unlicensed pet cat in Singapore has been an offence under the Animals and Birds Act. The National Parks Board (NParks) set out the change in July, as a two-year transition for cat licensing ran out on 31 August. An HDB flat may keep up to two cats and one dog of an approved small breed, and a private home up to three cats or dogs in any combination, according to NParks' Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) and the Housing & Development Board (HDB).

The limits shape which homes suit which pets. An HDB flat can take one dog of an approved small breed (HDB lists 61, plus crosses of any two of them), or one local mixed-breed dog up to 55cm tall adopted under Project ADORE, so owners of other dogs will generally need a private home. About 66,000 pet cats had been licensed since September 2024, NParks said in July 2026.

What this means for Singapore homeowners and tenants

The limits at a glance

HDB flatPrivate home
CatsUp to 2Up to 3 cats and dogs in total, in any mix
Dogs1 dog of an approved small breed, or 1 Project ADORE dogCounted within the total of 3
Specified dogs, such as German Shepherds and RottweilersNot allowedNo more than 1

Sources: AVS, Limits of ownership (updated 19 Oct 2026), Licensing requirements (updated 13 Oct 2026) and Cat ownership limits (updated 17 Sep 2026); HDB, Keeping pets.

Cats owned before 1 September 2024 could stay even if they took a household over the limit, provided they were licensed by 31 August 2026, AVS says; cats acquired since then count toward it. The limits apply to each flat or unit, not to each occupant. Keeping more than three animals in a private home needs AVS approval, assessed case by case. In an HDB flat, breaching the limits can lead to a fine of up to S$4,000, according to HDB and AVS.

Licensing: what it takes and what it costs

  • All pet cats and dogs must be licensed with AVS through its Pet Animal Licensing System (PALS). First-time applicants must first complete AVS's online Pet Ownership Course, and a cat must be microchipped by a licensed vet, AVS and HDB said when cat licensing began.
  • For each of the first three animals, a sterilised cat or dog costs S$15 for a one-year licence, S$25 for two years or S$35 for a one-time licence that lasts its lifetime. A non-sterilised animal costs S$90 for one year, S$165 for two years or S$230 for three years. Fees rise from the fourth animal, and payments by GIRO, online or at AXS get a 10% rebate, according to AVS's fee schedule.
  • Licence conditions require owners to give cats a safe environment and take reasonable steps against hazards, such as fitting mesh or grilles that stop them roaming or falling from a height, NParks says. In public, a cat must be under physical control, for example in a carrier or on a harness.
  • From 1 September 2026, breaching cat-keeping rules or licence conditions can lead to a fine of up to S$5,000 on conviction. A first-time offender who abandons a pet or fails in the duty of care can face a fine of up to S$10,000, up to 12 months in jail, or both, according to NParks.

Dogs in HDB flats

HDB's list names 61 approved small breeds and also allows a cross of any two of them. Under Project ADORE, a household can instead adopt one local mixed-breed dog, known as a Singapore Special, up to 55cm tall, with no weight limit. The dog must be licensed, microchipped, vaccinated and sterilised; the owner must complete an obedience training programme with the dog, run by an AVS-accredited certified dog trainer or an ADORE dog trainer; and the adoption must go through one of six AVS partner groups. A separate ADORE K-9 scheme rehomes retired sniffer dogs, such as Labradors and Cocker Spaniels, also one per flat. Specified dogs, which AVS treats as potentially dangerous breeds, cannot be kept in HDB flats at all.

Choosing or renting a home with a pet

  • A household with a dog that is not on HDB's list, and not adopted under Project ADORE, needs a private home, where the cap is three cats and dogs in total.
  • Cats acquired since 1 September 2024 count toward the two-cat limit in an HDB flat, so a household planning a third cat needs a private home.
  • Tenants' pets count toward the same limits, because the cap applies to the home. Landlords and tenants should agree on pets in the tenancy agreement.
  • In a condo, read the management corporation's by-laws and house rules before bringing a pet home.

FAQ

Can I keep a cat in an HDB flat? Yes. Since 1 September 2024, HDB has allowed up to two cats per flat, alongside one dog of an approved breed. Each cat must be licensed and microchipped.

Does my cat have to be sterilised? Not to get a licence. But a non-sterilised cat costs more to license and can only hold a licence of up to three years, while a sterilised cat can have a one-time licence for life.

Can I keep a larger dog in an HDB flat? Generally only a local mixed-breed dog up to 55cm tall adopted under Project ADORE, or a retired sniffer dog under the ADORE K-9 scheme. HDB also allows trained assistance dogs for residents with visual, physical or hearing impairments.

Education only — not legal advice.

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