Sale and Purchase of Animals Through Online Platforms

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether there are any legal channels for the sale and purchase of animals through online platforms; and (b) whether the Ministry has compiled any estimates on the value of sales of animals through online platforms, both legal and illegal, in each year for the past five years.

Licensed pet shops are allowed to sell their animals through online platforms and are required to indicate their licence number in the advertisements posted online. Buyers purchasing through online platforms may verify the authenticity of the licence number through the list of licensed pet shops published on the National Parks Board (NParks) website.

NParks does not have an estimated value for animal sales conducted through online platforms. Licensed pet shops are not required to report sales values to NParks. Notwithstanding this, NParks monitors online platforms for alleged illegal sales. In 2024, NParks has investigated 67 cases of illegal pet breeding and sale, including from online platforms.