Singapore Updates Animal Welfare Codes for Pet Groomers and Dog Trainers

Singapore pet groomers and dog trainers face stricter animal welfare rules following recent animal deaths at grooming facilities, with the Animal and Veterinary Service updating the Code of Animal Welfare on Oct. 3, 2026. The National Parks Board cluster introduced a mandatory physical supervision requirement for groomers and launched a dedicated code for dog trainers, replacing informal industry practices with enforceable standards, according to avs.nparks.gov.sg.

Mandatory Physical Supervision Implemented for Pet Groomers

Under the revised Code of Animal Welfare for pet groomers, professionals must maintain constant physical supervision of animals that are tethered or kept in group holding arrangements, as reported by asiaone.com. The update follows 54 cases of alleged groomer-related pet harm and deaths investigated by the Animal and Veterinary Service over a three-year period, straitstimes.com reported. In July 2024, a corgi died at Pawkins SG after falling from an unattended grooming table and hanging by its leash, resulting in a $10,000 fine for the salon owner, according to straitstimes.com. On Oct. 30, 2025, a white standard poodle named Buddy died at Pawsome.sg after being left unattended for approximately one and a half hours, prompting an animal cruelty charge against the facility’s director on Sept. 23, straitstimes.com reported.

Least Intrusive Dog Training Standards Introduced

For the first time, Singapore has established a dedicated Code of Animal Welfare for dog trainers, developed through the Dog Training Standards Workgroup formed in 2024 and co-led by the Animal and Veterinary Service and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Singapore, as detailed by asiaone.com. The new framework adopts the Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive method as the foundation for behavior modification, according to asiaone.com. Minister of State for National Development and Foreign Affairs Alvin Tan launched the codes at a World Animal Day event at the National Library Building, straitstimes.com reported. The regulatory update follows viral videos documenting mistreatment, including an incident at K9 Connection where a man hit a mongrel with a metal food bowl, leading to an animal cruelty charge against a director in November 2023, straitstimes.com reported.

Public Consultation Planned for Pet Owners

Following the rollout of industry codes, the Animal and Veterinary Service intends to engage stakeholders and hold a public consultation on the Code of Animal Welfare for pet owners, asiaone.com reported. The revised code will be divided into two sections, establishing general minimum standards across all pet species before providing species-specific guidelines and best practices, according to asiaone.com. It remains unannounced when the public consultation period will officially open or when the finalized pet owner guidelines will take legal effect.