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Cruelty Welfare Investigations

SPCA Singapore receives an average of 80 to 90 reports of alleged cruelty to animals every month. As we do not have enforcement powers under the Animals & Birds Act, serious cases that warrant further action are referred to the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) or the police.

We have a reward policy in place for cases of extreme abuse when there is a need to look for witnesses. The monetary reward for providing information was put in place in hopes of leading to the apprehension and prosecution of the perpetrator(s).

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If you witness any acts of abuse or require immediate assistance, please refer to the hotlines below:

SPCA 24/7 hotline: 6287 5355 Ext. 9.
AVS 24/7 hotline: 1800-476-1600
ACRES 24/7 hotline: 9783 7782 (for wildlife, birds, and terrapin rescues)
Police 24/7 hotline: 999

For complaints relating to dog barking (noise/nuisance), please contact your area Town Council (HDB) or Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC).


SPCA does not have enforcement powers under the Animals & Birds Act. Serious cases (e.g. extreme abuse) or cases where there is no improvement (e.g. pet neglect) following SPCA’s advice will be referred to the Animal Veterinary Service (AVS).

Under the Animals and Birds (Amendment) Act 2014, anyone who is found guilty of cruelty to animals, including the abandonment of any animal, can be imprisoned for up to 18 months, fined up to $15,000, or both.

This provision was included to deter irresponsible pet owners from discarding their pets. Unfortunately, there are still many owners who abandon their pets in spite of there being laws in place. Many of the reported cases we receive are about pet neglect. Cases of neglect include:

  • Small domestic animals housed in cages with wire flooring, fed inadequate diets, and/or left in a corridor without human company for most of the day.
  • Cats and dogs caged or tied up for long periods and/or in dirty conditions. Owners often say they have no time to clean the cages or are seldom home. The novelty of having a pet has obviously worn off. Veterinary care is not even considered by some.

Excuses often cited for such cases of neglect are that the animal is “destroying the house”, “cannot be toilet trained” or is “too active”. Neglecting the animal becomes a convenient way out for the owner, and the animal ends up spending most of their time confined and overlooked.

Animals deserve our respect and should not be subjected to prolonged periods where their freedom to move about is denied and their well-being is neglected. Neglecting a pet can be considered as a failure to fulfil your duty as a pet guardian and may be a chargeable offence. 

Our Inspectors visit the premises in question to verify cruelty reports before proceeding to counsel the owners. We refer more serious cases that require enforcement action by the authorities to AVS.

If you witness an act of deliberate cruelty (resulting in injury or death) or abandonment of an animal, please take the following steps:

  1. Immediately call the police (999) and SPCA’s 24/7 hotline, 6287 5355 Ext. 9
  2. Take a picture or video of the suspect if it is safe to do so. Note any distinguishing features of the person and clothing/accessories worn or vehicle numbers.
  3. If the animal is dead, do not move the body. Note the exact location (street name/bus stop number/lamp post number etc.). Take a picture of the animal and the surrounding area. Forward all images/videos to [email protected].
  4. If you witness other types of cruelty and would like us to investigate, please fill in our cruelty complaint form.
  5. If any animal appears to be in urgent need of attention, please call our hotline immediately (6287 5355 ext 9).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. I’ve witnessed/know of an animal cruelty. What should I do?

  1. Immediately call the police (999) and SPCA’s 24/7 hotline, 6287 5355 Ext. 9
  2. Take a picture or video of the suspect if it is safe to do so. Note any distinguishing features of the person and clothing/accessories worn or vehicle numbers.
  3. If the animal is dead, do not move the body. Note the exact location (street name/bus stop number/lamp post number etc.). Take a picture of the animal and the surrounding area. Forward all images/videos to [email protected]
  4. If you witness other types of cruelty and would like us to investigate, please fill in our cruelty complaint form.
  5. If any animal appears to be in urgent need of attention, please call our hotline immediately (6287 5355 ext 9).

2. I suspect an animal’s welfare is compromised (non-emergency). What should I do?

To lodge a non-emergency report, please fill in our cruelty complaint form. Your identity will be strictly confidential.

Our inspectorate will require evidence (photos/videos) from eye-witnesses and the address to be able to work with the authorities.


Kindly note that SPCA does not have legal rights to:


  1. Seize people’s pets
  2. Rehome people’s pets without the owners’ permission
  3. Prosecute offenders
  4. Request for and/or view CCTV footage

We are not a government organisation, but we will work with the legal authorities on advisory terms.


Hence, we recommend that you also alert AVS via their feedback portal or 24/7 hotline 1800-476-1600.


3. What does the SPCA do when you receive a cruelty complaint?

SPCA will record the complaint in writing and investigate, or assist with the relevant authorities with investigations.


In relation to improper treatment of pets by owners, our inspectors will counsel and advise them on how to improve the conditions for their pets and do follow up checks if necessary. Serious cases will be referred to AVS.


In extreme cases of animal cruelty, SPCA will assist or follow up with police investigations by arranging official post-mortem reports and preliminary veterinary reports if necessary.


However, please note that SPCA does not have legal rights to:


  1. Seize people’s pets
  2. Rehome people’s pets without the owners’ permission
  3. Prosecute offenders
  4. Request for and/or view CCTV footage

The SPCA is not a governmental organisation. Only the police and the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) have the power to take legal action in cruelty cases.


Witnesses are advised to lodge a police report immediately and call SPCA at 6287 5355 Ext 9. SPCA keeps all information and contact details strictly confidential, except in cases where a witness is required to testify; details have to be sent to the authorities.


4. What are some of the most common types of animal cruelty that SPCA has to deal with?

Pet neglect has been a growing concern. Many cases involve dogs tied up or kept in small cages for long periods of time with minimal or no exercise and socialisation. Other cases of neglect involve rabbits and cats confined in small areas, sometimes without water supply or a hygienic environment. Some rabbits are left in dirty cages at HDB corridors without any form of interaction.


Another common issue is pet abandonment.


5. Is animal abuse/abandonment against the law?

Yes. Under the Animals and Birds (Amendments) Act 2014, anyone who is found guilty of such an offense (including the abandonment of any animal), can be imprisoned for up to 18 months, fined up to $15,000, or both.

Case Highlights

Coming soon.