Once you have decided to adopt rather than buy, the next question is where to adopt a pet in Singapore. There is no single national pound where every animal waits. Instead, adoption runs through a mix of charities, volunteer-run rescue groups and foster networks, each with its own focus, process and expectations. Knowing how they differ saves you time and helps you find a good match.
This guide compares the main types of adoption sources, outlines how some of the better-known groups work, and walks through what a typical adoption process involves. Processes, fees and requirements change, so always check the latest details on each organisation’s own website or social media.
The Main Places to Adopt
Most adoptable animals in Singapore come from one of these sources:
- Established animal welfare charities with a physical shelter, staff and regular viewing arrangements.
- Volunteer-run rescue groups that keep animals in boarding facilities or private foster homes rather than one central shelter.
- Species-specific groups focusing on cats, rabbits or other small animals.
- Adoption drives, where several groups bring animals to a public venue on a set day.
- Private rehoming, where an owner who can no longer keep a pet looks for a new home directly.
Here is how the main options compare at a glance.
| Source | Animals usually available | How you meet them | Things to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPCA Singapore | Dogs, cats, rabbits and other small animals | Shelter visits, usually by arrangement | Long-established charity with a structured application and interview |
| Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD) | Mainly local dogs, many of them Singapore Specials | Adoption centre visits and adoption drives | Dog-focused, with experience matching dogs to HDB and family homes |
| Causes for Animals (CAS) | Dogs and cats | Mostly through fosterers, by appointment | Foster-based model means fosterers know each animal’s personality well |
| Other rescue groups and drives | Dogs, cats, rabbits, varies by group | Fosterers, boarding facilities, events | Wide variety; processes and screening differ greatly |
| Private rehoming | Any, often adult pets | Meeting the owner | Less screening and support; ask about health records and history |
A Closer Look at Some Well-Known Groups
SPCA Singapore. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is one of the oldest animal welfare organisations in Singapore. Besides rescue and inspection work, it rehomes a range of animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters. Its adoption process is usually structured, with an application, a chat with staff about your home and lifestyle, and an adoption agreement. Check its website for current viewing arrangements and adoption fees.
Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD). As the name suggests, ASD focuses on dogs, especially local mixed breeds known affectionately as Singapore Specials. Many of these dogs were rescued from the streets, construction sites or difficult situations. ASD runs an adoption centre and takes part in adoption drives, and its volunteers can advise on whether a particular dog suits a flat, a family with children, or a first-time owner.
Causes for Animals (Singapore). CAS rescues and rehomes dogs and cats, relying heavily on a foster network. Because animals live in real homes before adoption, fosterers can usually tell you how a pet behaves with visitors, children, other animals and being left alone, which is very useful information for matching.
Other groups worth knowing. Many smaller rescue groups rehome dogs, cats and rabbits, often posting available animals on social media. Some focus on specific animals, such as rabbit welfare groups for rabbits, or cat-focused groups for cats. The Cat Welfare Society, for example, works mainly on community cat welfare and can point you to cat adoption avenues. If you use WeChat or Xiaohongshu, our guide to using those apps for pet life in Singapore explains how to find and assess listings there.
What the Adoption Process Usually Involves
Every group sets its own process, but most follow similar steps.
- Browse and enquire. Look through listings on the group’s website or social media and send an enquiry or application form about a specific animal.
- Application and screening. Expect questions about your housing type, who lives with you, working hours, previous pet experience, and how you will handle travel or a move. Answer honestly; these questions help match the right animal to your home.
- Meet the animal. You will usually meet the pet at the shelter, adoption centre or foster home, sometimes more than once. Bring everyone who will live with the pet if possible.
- Home visit. Many groups visit your home, either before or after adoption, to check safety. For cats, this often includes mesh or grilles on windows and gates.
- Adoption agreement and fee. You sign an agreement setting out your responsibilities, which commonly include keeping the animal indoors or leashed, providing vet care, and returning the pet to the group rather than giving it away if things do not work out. The adoption fee typically helps cover costs such as sterilisation, vaccination and microchipping. Amounts vary by group and animal.
- Follow-up. Some groups check in after adoption or offer a trial period. Use this support if you run into problems.
Housing Rules to Check First
Your home type affects what you can adopt, so check this before you fall in love with a particular animal.
- HDB flats and dogs. HDB allows one dog of an approved breed per flat. Under the Animal & Veterinary Service’s (AVS) Project ADORE, certain local mixed-breed dogs that meet the scheme’s criteria can be adopted into HDB flats through participating animal welfare groups. Criteria and conditions apply, so check the latest details with AVS and the adopting group.
- HDB flats and cats. Rules on keeping cats in HDB flats have been updated under AVS’s pet cat management framework, which includes licensing and limits on the number of cats. Check AVS’s website for the current requirements before adopting.
- Licensing. Dogs must be licensed with AVS. Check AVS for current licensing and microchipping requirements for your pet.
- Condos and private homes. Private estates may have their own by-laws on pets, set by the MCST (Management Corporation Strata Title, the body that manages a condo). Check before adopting.
- Rental homes. If you rent, get your landlord’s written agreement first.
Choosing the Right Group for You
A few practical tips to help you decide where to adopt:
- Think about the animal first. If you know you want a dog, start with dog-focused groups. For a rabbit or hamster, look for groups that rehome small animals.
- Value foster feedback. If you are a first-time owner, a foster-based group’s detailed knowledge of an animal’s temperament can make the transition smoother.
- Consider adult animals. Puppies and kittens get the most attention, but adult pets often have settled personalities and may be easier for busy households. Our guide to adopting a rescue or ex-breeding dog explains what to expect from dogs with a harder start in life.
- Ask about post-adoption support. Good groups are happy to advise on settling in, training and health questions.
- Be patient. Screening can take time and some applications are declined. This is not personal; groups want each placement to last.
If you are not ready to adopt yet, fostering is a good way to learn about pet care while helping a group free up space. You can also start by volunteering at an animal shelter to meet animals and understand what different groups do before you commit to a lifelong companion.
Official sources: Animal & Veterinary Service