Singapore’s cat licensing transition ends with more than 111,000 pets licensed

During the transition period, AVS organised nearly 170 free microchipping drives across Singapore, resulting in more than 13,000 pet cats being microchipped. — Picture from Facebook/Alvin Tan

By Malay Mail

First Published: Tuesday, 01 Sep 2026 12:02 PM MYT

SINGAPORE, Sept 1 — More than 111,000 pet cats have been licensed in Singapore as the two-year transition period under the country’s Cat Management Framework ended yesterday.

AsiaOne reported that Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan said the figure had risen from about 66,000 in July, when around seven in 10 pet cats had been licensed.

“Big thanks to all cat owners who stepped forward to microchip and license your pet cats during this period!” Tan said in a Facebook post on August 31.

He said microchipping and licensing would improve traceability and owner accountability while making it easier to identify and reunite lost cats with their owners.

The Cat Management Framework, implemented by the National Parks Board’s Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS), took effect on September 1, 2024.

Under the framework, each HDB flat can keep up to two cats, while each private residence can keep up to three, with owners required to microchip and license all their pet cats.

Tan said the standard cat-keeping limits for new licence applications would take effect from September 1.

During the transition period, AVS organised nearly 170 free microchipping drives across Singapore, resulting in more than 13,000 pet cats being microchipped, he said.

The Pet Cat Sterilisation Support programme also helped sterilise and microchip more than 6,300 pet cats from over 2,900 lower-income households.

Meanwhile, more than 4,700 community cats have undergone the Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage programme since it was introduced on September 1, 2024.

AVS also launched a two-year pilot scheme on August 3 allowing approved cat fosterers to keep up to six cats in HDB flats and up to 10 cats in private homes.

The pilot, which runs until July 31, 2028, is aimed at supporting cat fosterers and their role in managing community cats across Singapore.