Singapore, 3 October 2026 – The Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS), a cluster of the National Parks Board (NParks), has launched the newly developed Code of Animal Welfare for dog trainers and a revised Code of Animal Welfare (COAW) for pet groomers, as part of broader efforts to safeguard animal health and welfare and raise standards across the pet industry. In developing new Codes and updating existing ones, AVS ensures that animal welfare standards remain aligned with evolving global practices and relevant to Singapore's context. As part of these ongoing efforts, AVS will embark on a review of the COAW for pet owners in the coming year.
The COAW sets out minimum standards for the housing, management and care of animals to protect the health and welfare of pets. Failure to meet these minimum standards may be used as evidence for prosecution against offences under the Animals and Birds Act.
The COAW for the pet industry and pet owners were drafted by the Multi-stakeholder Collaboration Committee (MSCC) and issued by the then-Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) of Singapore in 2016 and 2017, respectively. To ensure that the minimum standards remain relevant to the evolving pet sector and aligned with current global practices, AVS commenced a review of the Codes for the pet industry in 2024. The review involved a broad range of stakeholders, including pet groomers, dog trainers, veterinarians, animal groups and members of the public.
Establishing minimum standards for dog trainers to safeguard animal welfare
The newly developed COAW for dog trainers is the second deliverable of the Dog Training Standards Workgroup (DTSWG), which was formed in August 2024 and is co-led by AVS and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Singapore. The DTSWG comprises dog trainers, veterinarians, animal groups and representatives from working dog units, and was established to explore ways to raise standards in the dog training sector and safeguard animal welfare. The Code follows the launch of the workgroup’s first deliverable in July 2025, the Advisory on the Use of Aversive Dog Training Devices (Electronic Shock and Prong Collars).
The new Code establishes a clear set of minimum standards that trainers are expected to meet, while ensuring that the welfare of dogs remains at the forefront of the training process.
The Code adopts the Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) approach, which promotes the use of humane, evidence-based training methods and positive reinforcement as the foundation for behaviour modification. Under the approach, trainers should work systematically through the Hierarchy of Behaviour Change Procedures before considering more aversive strategies.
The Code establishes minimum standards and best practices across six key areas:
• Training Approach – Promotes the LIMA approach and positive reinforcement as the foundation of dog training. The escalation to more aversive strategies is discouraged unless it reflects a systematic and humane approach.
• Training Environment – Sets standards to safeguard the safety of dogs, staff, clients and members of the public during training sessions.
• Professional Competency and Training – Requires trainers to possess the knowledge, practical skills and ongoing training needed to practise responsibly and within their scope of expertise. New trainers with less than one year of documented experience must be supervised by a trainer with at least one year of experience.
• Client Communication and Records – Requires trainers to maintain records, keep clients informed and obtain consent where appropriate.
• Referral Procedures – Calls for a commitment to collaboration with other animal care professionals to support continuity of care.
• Transportation and Boarding – Sets requirements for the transportation and boarding of dogs, including compliance with applicable laws, licensing conditions and record retention requirements.
The new Code for dog trainers builds on earlier initiatives, including the AVS-Accredited Certified Dog Trainer (ACDT) Scheme and the Advisory on the Use of Aversive Dog Training Devices, to further strengthen standards within the dog training sector. Dog owners can also have greater assurance that dog trainers are guided by defined standards of animal welfare and professional competency.
Raising standards in the pet grooming sector
AVS has also revised the COAW for pet groomers following stakeholder engagement. This included a stakeholder survey conducted in March 2026 that received over 70 responses, as well as two focus group discussions in April 2026, comprising pet groomers, veterinarians, animal groups and members of the public. Participants were supportive of the review, with broad consensus on the need to strengthen industry standards.
The finalised revised Code for pet groomers incorporated feedback received through these engagements, including suggestions relating to groomers' handling of animals, demonstration of competency, client communication and record keeping, as well as requirements for the supervision, holding and safety of animals while under the groomers’ care.
The revised Code raises the bar for groomer competency and standards of care, while providing pet owners with greater assurance through improved transparency, communication and accountability. Key updates include:
• Groomer Competency and Training – Expanded competency requirements and clearer definitions for key terms such as grooming services. Groomers are expected to possess appropriate animal handling knowledge, breed- and species-specific grooming skills, and relevant practical experience or training.
• Animal Holding, Handling and Supervision – Strengthened requirements to prevent failures in duty of care during grooming sessions. Groomers must maintain constant physical supervision of animals that are tethered or in group holding arrangements, while animals with additional care needs such as brachycephalic breeds should receive closer monitoring.
• Grooming Procedures – Expanded and clarified requirements across key grooming activities, including the safe use of scissors, clippers and drying equipment.
• Client Communication and Record keeping – Introduces clearer expectations on documentation, incident reporting and communication with pet owners to promote greater transparency and accountability.
The new COAW for dog trainers and revised COAW for pet groomers are available on the AVS website at: https://avs.nparks.gov.sg/about-us/code-of-animal-welfare/
Public consultation on the Code of Animal Welfare for Pet Owners
AVS will also commence a comprehensive review of the COAW for pet owners through a public consultation. The current Code was published in 2017 and will be updated to ensure that welfare standards remain aligned with evolving global practices and Singapore's pet ownership landscape.
The revised Code intends to set out minimum standards and best practices across five key areas: accountability of pet owners, housing and environment, diet and nutrition, behaviour and enrichment, and health.
To improve clarity and usability, the revised Code will also be structured into two sections:
1. The first section will set out general minimum standards applicable across all pet species.
2. The second section will provide species-specific minimum standards and best practices for dogs, cats, birds and small mammals including rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters and chinchillas.
Over the coming year, AVS will engage pet owners, veterinarians, animal groups and the wider community through public consultations, including an online survey and focus group discussions. Feedback gathered through these engagements will help inform and refine the proposed revisions.
Everyone has a role to play in safeguarding animal health and welfare
AVS will continue to engage with the public and stakeholders to raise standards across the pet sector, promote responsible pet ownership and safeguard animal health and welfare. These efforts support Singapore's vision of becoming a City in Nature, where community stewardship remains a key pillar in creating a harmonious environment for people and animals.
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