Dog Microchipping in Singapore: How It Works, ISO Standards, and Licensing Steps

Dog microchipping in Singapore is both a safety move and a compliance step. It helps lost dogs get home faster, and it is also required for licensing under current rules.If your worries are: “Is it required?”, “Does it hurt?”, “Where do I register?”, and “What happens if I move house?”, this guide is built for exactly that. You will get the official requirements, the real-world flow (microchip, course, PALS licence), and the checklist you can follow without second-guessing.

TL;DR

• Step 1: Microchip your dog at a veterinary clinic. Microchipping can only be performed by a licensed veterinarian. (Animal and Veterinary Service, AVS)
• Step 2: Keep your dog’s microchip number. You need it for the licence application.
• Step 3: If you are a first-time dog licence applicant, complete the Pet Ownership Course (required from 1 September 2024) before licence issuance.
• Step 4: Apply for your dog licence on PALS using your dog’s microchip number, plus any supporting documents (adoption agreement, import permit, sterilisation proof where relevant).
• Step 5: Keep details updated on PALS (address changes must be updated within 28 days; ownership transfers are done on PALS).

What is a microchip (and what it is not)

A microchip is a tiny transponder, about the size of a grain of rice. It sits under your dog’s skin and contains a unique identification number that can be read using a microchip scanner.

What it is not:

• Not GPS. A microchip does not broadcast your dog’s live location.
• Not a tracking device. It is an ID you can scan when the dog is physically present.

Why this distinction matters: microchipping helps when a dog is found and scanned, but it does not replace good containment, an ID tag, and sensible walking habits.

ISO standards (11784 and 11785): what they are and why they matter

AVS strongly recommends that microchips conform to ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 standards. In plain terms, ISO standards reduce compatibility issues: if a clinic, shelter, or authority scans your dog, an ISO-conforming chip increases the chance the scanner can read it reliably.

This matters even more if your dog is imported or you plan to travel. AVS import guidance also states pets should be microchipped according to ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 Annex A, and the microchip number must appear in vaccination and treatment records.

How microchipping is done (and safety)

AVS describes the process: the microchip is implanted under the loose skin between the shoulder blades using an injector. Microchipping can only be performed by a licensed veterinarian. The process is safe and similar to receiving a routine vaccination.

Does microchipping hurt?

For most dogs, it feels like a quick injection. The moment is usually brief. If you have a very anxious dog, speak to your vet about handling techniques and timing. The compliance point remains: it must be performed by a licensed veterinarian.

Is microchipping required in Singapore?

Yes. AVS states that pet dogs and cats are required to be microchipped and licensed under the Animals and Birds (Licensing and Control of Cats and Dogs) Rules 2024. AVS also explains licensing supports traceability, including in the event of disease outbreaks where the pet may need to be produced for examination. (AVS)

Step-by-step: licensing flow (microchip, course, PALS)

This is the practical flow most new dog owners need: microchip first, then licensing.

Step 1: Microchip your dog at a vet

AVS states pet owners can visit their preferred vet clinic to have their pets microchipped. Before you leave the clinic, confirm:

• Your dog’s microchip number is recorded correctly.
• The number matches any paperwork you are given.

Step 2: Complete the Pet Ownership Course (first-time applicants)

AVS states that with effect from 1 September 2024, first-time cat or dog licence applicants must complete the online Pet Ownership Course before licence issuance. AVS also notes the course is free and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

Step 3: Apply for a dog licence on PALS (microchip number required)

AVS states you will need your pet’s microchip number when you apply for a licence. Depending on your situation, you may also need supporting documents such as:

• Adopted from an Animal Welfare Group: adoption or fosterer agreement.
• Imported: import permit.
• Sterilised: veterinarian sterilisation certificate, vet examination letter, or vaccination card showing sterilisation status.

After completing the course and preparing documents, apply for a new dog licence on PALS.

Step 4: Keep proof and keep records consistent

Once licensed, keep these aligned: microchip number, licence information, and your contact details and address. This sounds boring until you need it. When a dog is found and scanned, mismatched or outdated records can slow everything down.

Keeping details accurate (address, ownership transfer, missing dog)

Microchips help identify your dog. Licensing links that identification to the right person. That link only works if your details are current.

If you move house

AVS states your pet must be kept at the address registered on its licence. If it is kept elsewhere, you must inform AVS within 28 days of the change in address, and you can update the registered address on PALS.

If you rehome your dog or adopt a dog from someone else

AVS states that if there is a change in the cat or dog licensee, you are required to initiate the transfer to the new licensee on PALS by providing the new licensee’s details. The new licensee then accepts or rejects the transfer on PALS.

Practical note: if you adopted a dog and the microchip is registered to someone else, do the transfer properly so your licensing record matches reality.

If your dog goes missing

AVS states you must cancel your pet licence on PALS and submit a police report if the pet is missing. This is a regulatory step. For the real-world search plan, link internally to your “What to do if your dog goes missing in Singapore” guide.

If your dog is exported or passes away

AVS lists supporting documents for cancelling a pet licence. Exported: export certificate. Passed away: death certificate.

Why microchipping actually helps in real life

AVS states microchips provide the most reliable form of permanent identification because each microchip carries a unique code. When properly licensed with the owner’s details, microchipped pets have a significantly higher chance of being reunited with their owners if they go missing. AVS also notes an unregistered chip cannot be traced to an owner.

Core point: the chip is the ID, but the database details are the “return address.”

FAQs (schema candidates)

Does microchipping hurt?

AVS states the process is safe and similar to receiving a routine vaccination, and it is performed by a licensed veterinarian.

Can I microchip at any vet?

Microchipping can only be performed by a licensed veterinarian, and AVS notes pet owners can visit their preferred veterinary clinic to have their pets microchipped.

Is a microchip the same as a GPS tracker?

No. A microchip is a permanent identification system read by a scanner and reveals a unique ID number when scanned. It does not provide live location.

Is microchipping required in Singapore?

Yes. AVS states pet dogs and cats are required to be microchipped and licensed under the Rules 2024.

Do I need my dog’s microchip number to apply for a licence?

Yes. AVS states you will need your pet’s microchip number when you apply for a licence on PALS.

Do first-time applicants need the Pet Ownership Course?

Yes. AVS states that from 1 September 2024, first-time dog or cat licence applicants must complete the online Pet Ownership Course before licence issuance.

What if I move house?

AVS states you must inform them within 28 days of a change in address, and you can update the registered address on PALS.

Conclusion

Dog microchipping Singapore requirements are straightforward when you follow the right order: microchip at a licensed vet, keep the number, complete the Pet Ownership Course if you are a first-time applicant, then license your dog on PALS. After that, keep records current, especially when you move or transfer ownership.