Singapore Nixes Cat Ban on Public Housing via New Management Framework

Singapore is making ways to improve the welfare and management of our furry pals, as the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) has announced its new framework that allows Housing and Development Board (HDB) households to own cats.

Called the Proposed Cat Management Framework, the initiative aims to improve the traceability and welfare of cats in HDB neighbourhoods, keep animals and the public healthy, and promote responsible cat ownership.

The framework encompasses a mandatory licensing and microchipping scheme for pet cats, outreach efforts on responsible pet cat ownership and community cat caregiving, and the expansion of the Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage (TNRM) program for cats.

Under the framework, cat owners will be given a two-year transition period to meet these licensing conditions.

AVS is also working on improving the framework before its launch with an online survey, available until Feb. 1 this year. The organisation will review the feedback to “refine the framework where needed,” AVS said in a press release.

The framework will take effect in the second half of 2024. To take part in this initiative, you can take the survey here.