Pets in HDB Flats: What You Can & Cannot Keep

Interior Design & Decor

Published on: January 11th, 2021
5 minutes read

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Many of us can’t imagine life without our furry friends - but if you’re living in an HDB flat instead of private property, you might just be illegally housing your pet without realizing as there are many restrictions about it. In this article, we tell you what pets you can and cannot keep in HDB flats.

1. You can keep dogs in your flat (but only ONE!)

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Dog lovers, we know you’re concerned that your Woofus is going to get lonely when he is alone at home and you wish to get him another furry companion to keep him company.

Unfortunately, you’re strictly limited to keep only one dog in your HDB flat. In addition, your dog has to be of an acceptable breed, no matter how gentle and quiet it is. Below is a list of breeds that are approved by HDB.

Image via scpa.org.sg

If your dog is a cross-breed, it should be 40 cm or less at the shoulders, and weigh 10 kg or less. In addition to this, once your dog is 3 months or older, you’ll have to bring it to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) to get it licensed.

Do take note that flat owners who are found to breach this regulation can be fined up to a maximum of $4,000.

2. You cannot keep cats in your flat

Image via petsmagazine.com.sg

Cats are not allowed in HDB flats even though they are generally more suited to indoor-living than dogs. According to HDB, the reason behind this is because cats are “generally difficult to contain within the flat”; HDB also notes that cats tend to cause inconvenience to neighbours by “shedding fur, defecating or urinating in public areas, and making caterwauling sounds” when allowed to roam indiscriminately.

Having said that, a lot of people do secretly keep cats in their flats and don’t get into trouble unless they let the cat out of the unit. Also consider installing cat screens on your window if you don’t want your cat to fall to its death.

Unbeknownst to most, there is a programme called the Love Cats Pilot Cat Ownership Project directed by the Cat Welfare Society and involving about 120 HDB households in the Chong Pang area. Participating households have been allowed to keep one cat provided they agree to microchip, sterilize and keep it indoors.

3. You may keep other pets in your flat as long as they are legal

Image via singapore.locanto.sg

Want to keep other pets in your HDB flat? Good news! Small animals are generally allowed in HDB flats, but you must make sure you’re not buying an illegally-imported or sold animal, and that it isn’t classified as a wild animal that shouldn’t be kept as a pet. The police do sometimes carry out raids for illegal exotic pets.

Your options include small animals such as fish, hamsters, rabbits and birds, which do not cause inconvenience to neighbours or the environment.

In a nutshell, you may keep pets at home as long as you meet the guidelines set by HDB. Of course, just because you’re allowed to do so doesn’t mean you should take it for granted. When you welcome a pet into your home, you’re making a commitment to take care of it for the rest of its life, so take the decision very seriously.

It is also important to be considerate to those living around you and be a responsible pet owner. For instance, 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 neighbourhood in the long run.