What you need to know as pet cat licensing scheme kicks in

Two-year transition period to help cat owners ease into the changes starts now

- Ian Cheng

When the pet cat licensing scheme kicks in on 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 twoyear transition period until Aug 31, 2026, to help cat owners ease into the changes, said the National Parks Board's Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) and the 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 the Animals and Birds Act.

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 at pals.avs .gov.sg All pet cats are to be microchipped by a licensed veterinarian.

Owners applying for licences above the stipulated limits 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 go.gov.sg/petownershipcourse on basic pet care skills Here is what you need to know and responsible pet ownership beabout 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 and/or dogs.