22 November 2009

Keeping Pets in HDB Apartment

Most of the HDB residents prefer pets in their houses. Residents keeping pets such as dogs and other animals have to abide by certain rules and regulations set by the Housing and Development Board. HDB has allowed its residents to keep pets in their flats but with certain restrictions.


Dogs: The board allows only one dog to be kept in an HDB flat, but of an approved breed. These dog breeds are generally smaller in size and easily manageable.

The list of approved breed of dogs is shown below:

  • Affenpinscher


  • Australian Silky Terrier


  • Australian Terrier


  • Bichon Frise


  • Bohemian Terrier


  • Bolognese


  • Brussels Griffon (Griffon Bruxaellois)


  • Bichon Avanese


  • Border Terrier


  • Boston Terrier – Lightweight and Middleweight


  • Cairn Terrier


  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel


  • Chihuahua


  • Chinese Crested Dog


  • Chinese Imperial Chin


  • Chinese Temple Dog (Classic and Miniature)


  • Coton de tulear


  • Czech Terrier


  • Dachshund (Light and Miniature)


  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier


  • English Toy Spaniel


  • Griffon Belge


  • German Hunting Terrier


  • Griffon Brabancon


  • Hairless Dog


  • Italian Greyhound


  • Jack Russell Terrier


  • Japanese Spaniel (Chin)


  • Japanese Spitz


  • Lhasa Apso


  • Little Lion Dog


  • Lakeland Terrier


  • Maltese


  • Manchester Terrier


  • Miniature Pinscher


  • Miniature Schnauzer


  • Norfolk Terrier


  • Norwich Terrier


  • Papillon


  • Pekinese 61. Welsh Terrier


  • Pomeranian


  • Poodle


  • Pug


  • Poodle (Miniature)


  • Schipperkee


  • Scottish Terrier


  • Sealyham Terrier


  • Shetland Sheep dog


  • Shih Tzu


  • Silky Terrier


  • Small Continental Spaniel


  • Small English Terrier


  • Small Spitz


  • Smooth Fox Terrier


  • Toy Fox Terrier


  • Toy Terrier


  • Tibetan Spaniel


  • Volpino Italiano


  • West Highland Terrier


  • Wire-Haired Fox Terrier


  • Yorkshire Terrier

Cats: Due to the nomadic nature of this species, HDB does not allow cats to be kept in flats. It is difficult to keep the cats confined in flats as they can cause nuisance such as defecating or urinating or shedding of fur, which may affect the environment of the housing estates.

Other Pets: Apart from cats and dogs, HDB also allows flat owners to keep other pets such as birds, rabbits, hamsters and fishes.


In general, flat owners are not required to seek HDB’s approval for keeping pets in their flats. However, an owner has to obtain a license from AVA (Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority) to keep a dog in a flat.

Owners not following the HDB animal rules are liable to be fined up to 4,000 SGD. Besides HDB and AVA, dog owners can also seek assistance from NEA (National Environment Agency) and the Police for various dog related issues.


Dog Licence

Centre for Animal Welfare and Control
Animal Welfare and Control Division
Agri-food and Veterinary Authority
75 Pasir Panjang Road Singapore 118507
Tel : (65)-1800-476 1600; (65)-6471 9987
Fax : (65)-6472 6157; (65)-6473 3687
Email : ava_cawc@ava.gov.sg
Website: www.ava.gov.sg
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