More than 111,000 pet cats licensed in Singapore as 2-year transition period ends

More than 111,000 pet cats have been licensed in Singapore, Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan said in a Facebook post on Monday (Aug 31). 

Tan was marking the end of the two-year transition period under the Cat Management Framework, which began on Sept 1, 2024. 

He wrote: "Big thanks to all cat owners who stepped forward to microchip and license your pet cats during this period!" 

In July, Tan said around 66,000 pet cats, or about seven in 10 cats, had been licensed in Singapore. Since then, the number has risen to more than 111,000, said Tan. 

"Microchipping and licensing our pet cats enhance traceability and owner accountability, and make it easier to identify and reunite lost cats with their owners," he wrote. 

The Cat Management Framework, implemented by the National Parks Board's Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS), allows up to two cats to be kept in each HDB flat, and up to three cats for each private residence. Owners are required to license and microchip all their pet cats.

Tan added that the standard cat-keeping limits for new licence applications will take effect on Sept 1. 

"Over the transition period, AVS rolled out initiatives to support pet cat owners, including close to 170 free microchipping drives islandwide, where over 13,000 pet cats were microchipped," wrote Tan. 

He added that the Pet Cat Sterilisation Support (PCSS) programme has helped sterilise and microchip more than 6,300 pet cats from over 2,900 lower-income households. 

Over 4,700 community cats have also undergone the Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage (TNRM) programme, which was implemented on Sept 1, 2024. 

The AVS previously announced that approved cat fosterers will be able to keep up to six cats in their HDB flats and up to 10 in private homes from Aug 3 this year. 

The announcement came after the AVS started a two-year pilot scheme on Aug 3, which will run until July 31, 2028, to support cat fosterers and the role they play in managing community cats across Singapore.

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