Adopt or buy? Getting a pet in Singapore

Bringing a pet home is a commitment of ten to twenty years for many dogs and cats. Before you think about breed or colour, it helps to answer a simpler question: where will your pet come from, and are you ready for everything that comes with it?

Start with your home, not the pet

Check what your home allows before you fall in love with an animal.

HDB flats allow one dog of an approved breed and up to two cats. Read our guide to pets in HDB flats for the details.
Private homes have a combined limit of three cats and/or dogs.
Condominiums may have their own house rules on top of the law, so ask your management office.

Then think about the day-to-day. Who walks the dog in the morning? Who feeds the cat when you travel? Can your budget absorb a vet bill you did not plan for?

Why adopt

Animal welfare groups in Singapore rehome dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters and birds. The Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) points out a few practical advantages of adopting:

Adoptable pets are usually sterilised and screened for behaviour before they are matched with a new owner.
Any adoption fee generally goes towards their medical costs, such as sterilisation, deworming and vaccination.
An older pet comes with fewer surprises. Its size, personality and looks are already known, and it may already be toilet-trained.

Local mixed-breed dogs, often called Singapore Specials, can live in HDB flats under Project ADORE if they meet the height limit of 55cm. Many make calm, loyal companions.

If you decide to buy

If you want a particular breed, buy only from a licensed pet shop or breeder, and ask questions:

Can you see where the animal was kept, and meet the mother if possible?
Has the animal been vaccinated, dewormed and microchipped? Ask for the records.
What has it been eating, and how has it been socialised with people and other animals?

Be wary of anyone who rushes you, will not show you where the animal lives, or sells very young animals.

Questions to ask yourself first

Can I give this animal the exercise and company it needs every day?
Is everyone at home on board, including anyone with allergies?
Who looks after the pet when I travel or fall ill?
Can I afford food, grooming, vet visits, licensing and emergencies?
Am I ready for the whole of its life, not just the first year?

The legal basics

All dogs and cats in Singapore must be licensed, and first-time applicants complete AVS's Pet Ownership Course before applying. See our guide to licensing and microchipping.

This article is general information. For advice about a particular animal, speak to a veterinarian or the animal welfare group you are adopting from.