Review of Enforcement Measures Against Pet Groomers and Proposal for Mandatory CCTV Recordings in Pet Grooming Facilities

Ms Jessica Tan Soon Neo asked the Minister for National Development (a) what measures are being taken to strengthen enforcement against pet businesses, including pet grooming facilities, that fail to comply with the Animals and Birds Act (ABA) and Code of Animal Welfare; and (b) whether under the review of the ABA, serious negligence by pet businesses causing animal harm or death may result in enhanced penalties or longer licence suspensions.

Mr Speaker, all individuals working in animal-related businesses, including pet groomers, are entrusted with the care of their clients' animals and are expected to uphold high standards of animal welfare. Hence, these individuals face higher maximum penalties under the Animals and Birds Act (ABA) for animal cruelty and welfare offences compared to other members of the public. Failure to meet minimum standards stipulated under the Code of Animal Welfare may be used as evidence for enforcement action. Upon conviction for an animal welfare offence, the Court may also issue a disqualification order to an individual to disqualify them from owning an animal or running an animal-related business for up to 12 months.

The National Parks Board (NParks) has investigated 54 cases of feedback alleging harm to pets caused by groomers over the past three years. We are reviewing the regulatory regime for pet sector activities, including pet grooming businesses, under the ongoing review of the ABA. We will consider whether to include requirements for closed circuit television (CCTV) recordings when we amend the legislation. We are also reviewing the appropriate penalties for animal welfare and cruelty offences, including those that apply to animal-related businesses.

I thank the Minister of State for the reply and for the reassurances. I do have a few supplementary questions for both my Parliamentary Questions (PQs). For my first PQ, I would like to ask, are the current standards for supervision of pets during grooming sessions, particularly when they are secured in holding areas or cages, whether the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) would review the protocols for this to prevent prolonged unsupervised confinement that may result in distress or worse, injury or fatality?

And the other supplementary questions for this PQ are: what are the current processes and response time for handling complaints of suspected negligence in pet businesses? And how can AVS improve public reporting channels and investigation process to ensure timely follow-up?

The whole point is really, how to, first of all, report and also, how can pet owners be more aware of businesses that have had complaints and may not have followed protocols. But more importantly, are there going to be tighter protocols, for when they are in confined areas or unsupervised?

For my second PQ, I would also like to ask, apart from penalties – because that is after the fact and when once pet is injured, or I think the distress I have had for my residents and many pet owners who have shared that it can be extremely distressing and so, rather than penalties, which are good deterrents, but really prevention – so, will AVS consider introducing mandatory certification or competency requirements for pet groomers? And more importantly, skills training to ensure proper animal handling, not so much the grooming, but the animal handling and safety protocols, and more importantly emergency response when the pets are injured.

Will the Ministry also review the licensing conditioning for pet grooming businesses to incorporate minimum supervision requirements and emergency preparedness protocols?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Clearly, it is a very important topic. First of all, as I mentioned to the Member, we are reviewing the ABA and we are getting feedback from Members, as well as members of the public. We are reviewing under the review of the ABA, the regulatory regime for pet sector activities and this includes pet grooming businesses and the other areas in which the Member has highlighted.

With regard to the Code for Animal Welfare, which I mentioned earlier on, this is for specific to the pet industry. This Code of Animal Welfare specifies minimum standards and best practices for pet businesses and pet groomers. All pet groomers are encouraged to comply with these sets of standards and best practices, and that includes not leaving animals unattended in rooms, unsupervised, as the Member had mentioned.

But where there are breaches to this code, they can be used to support prosecution under the ABA and where unnecessary pain or suffering has been found to be inflicted on the animal, that is section 42 of the ABA, or failure of duty of care is found, section 41 of the ABA, NParks then can take an appropriate enforcement action under ABA. [Please refer to ​"Clarification by Minister of State for National Development", Official Report, 14 January 2026, Vol 96, Issue 14, Correction By Written Statement section.]

So, we are looking at all of these reviews under the review of the ABA. Currently, there are already levers for NParks to take action and we will take all of the feedback into regard.

If members of the public or the Member herself comes across any reports, please feel free to contact AVS. I have gotten the number here – it is 1800 4761 600. And AVS will be prompt and swift.