Singapore treats animal ownership as a legal duty.
Under the Animals and Birds Act 1965, an owner who abandons an animal without reasonable cause can be fined up to S$10,000 (about US$7,800), jailed for up to 12 months, or both, for a first offence by an individual. Cruelty carries up to S$15,000 (about US$11,700) and 18 months for a first offence.
Both sit in Part 4 of the Act, which took its current form through amendments passed in 2014 and in force since 16 January 2015.
What Singapore's Animal Welfare Law Requires
The Animals and Birds Act 1965 also covers animal diseases and the movement of animals in and out of Singapore. Its welfare rules apply to any animal, wild or tame, and to anyone who owns or looks after one, even temporarily, including pet sitters and boarding staff.
1. Duty of care
Owners must take reasonable steps to give an animal enough food, water and shelter, and to protect it from injury and disease. They must not handle it in a way that causes unnecessary pain, and must not abandon it, even temporarily, without good reason. If it goes missing, they must try to find it.
Owners are also expected to follow the official codes of animal welfare. Breaking a code is not a crime by itself, but either side can cite it as evidence in court.
2. Cruelty
The law bans cruelty, including beating, kicking, torturing, infuriating or terrifying an animal, causing unnecessary pain or suffering through a rash or unreasonable act or omission, working an animal that is too sick or injured to work, and organising or assisting animal fighting or baiting.
An owner who fails to take reasonable care and supervise the animal is treated as having allowed the cruelty. Killing an animal for food is not covered, unless it causes unnecessary suffering.
3. Businesses
Animals kept for sale, export or exhibition must be in licensed premises. Businesses that keep animals for display, sale or breeding, or that board, groom, train or treat them for a fee, and rescue and welfare organisations, face extra rules.
These include heavier penalties and a requirement that certain activities be done by qualified staff. Businesses dealing with animals meant for food are not covered by these extra rules.
4. Enforcement
The Director-General, Animal Health and Welfare, can order an owner to safeguard an animal's welfare, and refusing is an offence. Officers can order an incurably ill or injured animal put down.
After a conviction for breaching the duty of care, cruelty or using unqualified staff, a court can bar the person from owning animals, or from running an animal business, for up to 12 months. It can also order an animal treated at the offender's cost, or take it away from an owner likely to expose it to cruelty.
What the Penalties Are
The maximum penalty depends on the offence and on who commits it. These are ceilings only, the court decides the actual sentence.
| Offence | Individual (first) | Individual (repeat) | Animal-related business* (first) | Animal-related business* (repeat) |
| Breach of duty of care | S$10,000 (about US$7,800)** and/or 12 months | S$20,000 (about US$15,600)** and/or 2 years | S$40,000 (about US$31,200)** and/or 2 years | S$100,000 (about US$78,000)** and/or 3 years |
| Cruelty | S$15,000 (about US$11,700)** and/or 18 months | S$30,000 (about US$23,400)** and/or 3 years | S$40,000 (about US$31,200)** and/or 2 years | S$100,000 (about US$78,000)** and/or 3 years |
*Applies to offences committed in the course of running, or working for, an animal related business, including rescue and welfare organisations.
**US dollar figures are approximate, based on an exchange rate of S$1 = US$0.78 in late September 2026.
Source: Animals and Birds Act 1965, Sections 41C(3) and 42(4), Singapore Statutes Online, accessed 29 September 2026
Ignoring a direction from the Director-General without reasonable excuse is a separate offence. An individual can be fined up to S$10,000 (about US$7,800), jailed for up to 12 months, or both. For an animal related business, the maximum fine is S$20,000 (about US$15,600).
The Numbers Behind the Law
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) recorded 961 confirmed cases of animal cruelty and welfare concerns in 2024, involving 2,190 animals. It was the highest annual count in 12 years, up from 915 in 2023 and 511 in 2022.
In 2025, confirmed cases fell to 608, involving 1,584 animals.
| Category | 2024 | 2025 |
| Confirmed cases | 961 | 608 |
| Animals involved | 2,190 | 1,584 |
| Welfare or neglect | 678 | 470 |
| Cruelty | 283 | 138 |
| Of which: abandonment | 120 | 58 |
| Of which: physical abuse | 84 | 35 |
Cats made up more than half of the victims in both years. SPCA said national figures are likely higher than its confirmed count.
On 26 August 2025, SPCA and the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) released a white paper containing 15 recommendations across animal welfare education, legislation, companion animals and wildlife. The proposals include higher penalties for neglect and cruelty and a minimum age of 16 to purchase all pets.
The recommendations came as Singapore reviews its Animals and Birds Act.
In response to the white paper's release, Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan said some proposals could be adopted, while others would require further evaluation. The recommendations are being studied as part of the ongoing review of the Act.
The Full White Paper, including all 15 recommendations, can be read here.
