Breeding of Dogs, Cats and Rabbits for Sale as Pets

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development with regard to the breeding of dogs, cats and rabbits in Singapore for the purpose of sale as pets (a) whether AVA keeps track of the proportion of these animals sold versus the numbers bred; and (b) what happens to the animals that are not able to be sold.

Currently, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) does not track the proportion of cats and rabbits sold versus the numbers bred. AVA only has information on the number of dogs bred, via the production records submitted by pet breeders. AVA does not track the number of dogs sold.

But moving forward, AVA will be able to track such data for dogs. AVA will soon require pet businesses, such as pet farms and pet retailers, to licence all dogs in their establishments, including dogs bred. When a dog is sold, the new owner has to register a licence and provide AVA with his or her particulars. With this information, AVA will be able to determine the proportion of dogs sold versus the numbers bred.

Pet businesses may continue to keep the unsold animals or put them up for adoption. Under no circumstances should pet businesses abandon or ill-treat any animals under their charge. Under the Animals and Birds Act, all owners have a duty of care to animals under their charge. A pet business convicted for failure of duty of care may be liable for a fine of up to $40,000, or a jail term of up to two years, or both, for the first offence.