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Residential

Keeping Pets

You may keep pets at home, as long as you meet the guidelines. It is also important to be considerate to those living around you when you have a pet. 

Check the list of pet types allowed, if you are considering keeping a pet in your flat.

Dogs

You can only keep 1 dog from the list of approved breeds in your flat. Flat owners found to breach this regulation can be fined up to a maximum of $4,000.

HDB-approved dog breeds

1

Affenpinscher

2

Australian Silky Terrier

3

Australian Terrier

4

Bichon Frise

5

Bohemian Terrier

6

Bolognese

7

Brussels Griffon (Griffon Bruxaellois)

8

Bichon Havanese

9

Border Terrier

10

Boston Terrier
(a) Lightweight
(b) Middleweight

11

Cairn Terrier

12

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

13

Chihuahua

14

Chinese Crested Dog

15

Chinese Imperial Chin

16

Chinese Temple Dog (Classic and Miniature)

17

Coton de tulear

18

Czech Terrier

19

Dachshund (Light and Miniature)

20

Dandie Dinmont Terrier

21

English Toy Spaniel

22

Griffon Belge

23

German Hunting Terrier

24

Griffon Brabancon

25

Hairless Dog

26

Italian Greyhound

27

Jack Russell Terrier

28

Japanese Spaniel (Chin)

29

Japanese Spitz

30

Lhasa Apso

31

Little Lion Dog

32

Lakeland Terrier

33

Maltese

34

Manchester Terrier

35

Miniature Pinscher

36

Miniature Schnauzer

37

Norfolk Terrier

38

Norwich Terrier

39

Papillon

40

Pekinese

41

Pomeranian

42

Poodle

43

Pug

44

Poodle (Miniature)

45

Schipperkee

46

Scottish Terrier

47

Sealyham Terrier

48

Shetland Sheep dog

49

Shih Tzu

50

Silky Terrier

51

Small Continental Spaniel

52

Small English Terrier

53

Small Spitz

54

Smooth Fox Terrier

55

Toy Fox Terrier

56

Toy Terrier

57

Tibetan Spaniel

58

Volpino Italiano

59

West Highland Terrier

60

Wire-Haired Fox Terrier

61

Welsh Terrier

62

Yorkshire Terrier

 

 
 

Cats

Cats are not allowed in flats. They are generally difficult to contain within the flat. When allowed to roam indiscriminately, they tend to shed fur and defecate or urinate in public areas, and also make caterwauling sounds, which can inconvenience your neighbours.

Other pets

Other pets that can be kept in HDB flats include small animals such as fish, hamsters, rabbits and birds. These animals generally do not inconvenience neighbours or the environment. More information on the animals that can be kept as pets can be found on the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority's (AVA) website.

Pet licencing

Dog owners must have their pet licensed by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA). You need not seek HDB’s approval to keep a dog, as long as it is of an approved breed.

Responsible pet ownership

Take care of your pet and ensure that it does not cause any inconvenience to your neighbours. For example, keep your dog safe within your flat, and care for it so that it does not bark continuously. These are good practices that your neighbours will appreciate and will help create better acceptance. 

Be a good neighbour  

Pick up useful tips on gracious heartland living and build good relationships with your neighbours.

Assistance services

Flat owners can seek for help from the following agencies on issues related to keeping dogs in HDB flats.

Agency

Assistance Type

HDB

For enforcement against flat owners of the ‘one-approved-dog’ per flat rule

NEA

For enforcement against dog owners whose dogs defecate in public places and cause environmental damage

AVA

Issuing of dog licences and enforcement against dog owners whose dog chases or bites people
 

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