Tighter licensing conditions for pet businesses to take effect on 1 April
New licensing conditions for pet farms and pet shops aimed at raising animal welfare standards will take effect on 1 April, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore said Tuesday (28 March).
The changes will affect operators that display and sell dogs and cats, and breed and board dogs.
Among the changes, if two or more dogs are kept together, they must be compatible. Each dog must also have sufficient space to move about or lie down in a kennel.
Retired breeding dogs must be kept separately from breeding dogs. These dogs must also be separated by gender. They must also go through an annual health check by a licensed veterinarian.
Puppies and kittens must be microchipped by nine weeks and 12 weeks old, respectively.
Jessica Kwok, Group Director of AVA’s Animal Management Group, said, “We sought feedback from key stakeholders such as pet businesses, animal welfare groups, and the Pets Enterprises & Traders Association, Singapore (PETAS), to seek suggestions and understand concerns. We have also been working closely with them since December 2016 to prepare them for the changes.”
AVA said that the public could also play a role in protecting animal welfare by contacting AVA on any animal welfare issues at 1800-476-1600.
