Dog licence Singapore: AVS checklist for new puppy owners

Two different licences: the shop's and yours

Bringing a puppy home in Singapore involves paperwork from two different parties, and it helps to know which belongs to whom. Furgive You SG operates as an AVS-licensed pet shop (Licence AS24C00019). That licence is issued by the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) under NParks, and it covers our business activities: sourcing puppies responsibly, importing them, housing them at our showroom and selling them to suitable owners. It is a shop licence, not an owner's licence, and it does not transfer to the buyer when a puppy moves into your home.

Once a puppy becomes your dog, it needs a dog licence in your name. Applications are made through PALS, AVS's Pet Animal Licensing System. This applies whether you buy from us, from another licensed pet shop, or welcome a dog through any other route — the owner's dog licence sits with the owner, and it is separate from any shop's licence. The rest of this checklist walks through what that involves.

Your owner checklist before applying

First, if you have never owned a dog in Singapore before, look at the Pet Ownership Course that AVS directs new owners to. The official course page explains who needs to complete it and how it works, so check it rather than relying on second-hand summaries.

Second, have your dog's microchip number ready. Licensing is tied to the individual animal, and the microchip is how AVS identifies it. Keep your import or purchase documents together with the microchip record so the details are easy to find.

Third, submit the application through PALS, AVS's Pet Animal Licensing System. Before you start, read the official AVS page on applying for dog and cat licences, which sets out the current process and the supporting documents you may be asked for. For an imported puppy, that can include the Import Permit. If you intend to claim reduced fees for a sterilised dog, the same official page explains what documentation is required — check AVS directly for current fees and eligibility rather than trusting figures you have seen elsewhere.

Buying from Furgive You? We transfer your puppy's AVS dog licence to you; you accept the transfer on PALS.

Limits of ownership: HDB flats and private homes

Where you live shapes what you can keep. If your home is an HDB flat, HDB's rules on keeping pets apply, and they are checked on top of licensing rather than instead of it. As a general picture, an HDB flat is limited to one approved-breed dog, and the approved-breed list and its conditions can change — always read the official page before you commit to a particular breed or cross.

For private homes, AVS's limits of ownership page sets out the caps and conditions that apply outside HDB estates. Our guide to HDB-approved puppy breeds in Singapore covers the common breed and cross-breed questions in detail, but the official HDB and AVS pages always take priority over any article.

What Furgive You SG helps with

Our side of the paperwork covers the puppy's journey to the showroom. Puppies at Furgive You SG are ethically imported from Australia, the UK, Ireland and New Zealand through our licensed pet shop, with the import documentation handled on our end before a puppy is ever listed. You can read how the purchase process works, and find out more about us, before deciding whether to visit.

The licence in your name is yours to apply, and we would rather point you to the official pages than paraphrase them. Families are welcome to meet the puppies currently available at our showroom at 278 East Coast Road — we recommend a calm, unhurried visit, booked by WhatsApp on +65 8767 4515.

Still deciding which puppy is right for you?

If you are weighing a purchase against adoption, our article on buying vs adopting a dog in Singapore compares both routes honestly. It covers the same licensing and housing responsibilities from the other direction — whichever path you take, the dog licence ends up in your name.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a dog licence if I buy from a licensed pet shop? Yes. The shop's AVS licence covers the shop's activities — sourcing, importing and selling. The dog licence for your pet is a separate requirement that the new owner holds, and no shop licence stands in for it.

Can I keep more than one dog in an HDB flat? Rules differ by housing type and can change, so read HDB's official guidance before deciding. Your flat type, the approved-breed list and the limits of ownership together determine what is permitted for your household.

When should I apply for my dog's licence? Timing depends on your circumstances, and the official process can be updated, so follow AVS's guidance on the applying page linked above rather than planning around a fixed deadline. If your puppy is being imported, having the import documents ready will make the application smoother when the time comes.