In Singapore, puppies can only be legally sold by pet shops and breeders licensed by the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS). Anyone else — a Carousell seller, a Telegram "home breeder", an Instagram account with cute photos — is either unlicensed or a scam. Before you pay a cent, you should be able to see the seller's AVS licence number, view the puppy in person, and receive full paperwork.
Our stance is adoption-first: shelters rehome puppies and young dogs every week for a fraction of shop prices. If you do buy, buy ethically from a verified licensed seller.
Where are puppies legally sold in Singapore?
Only two kinds of sellers can legally sell you a puppy:
- AVS-licensed pet shops — retail shops with a pet shop licence, many clustered around Serangoon North, which has long been Singapore's best-known pet shop strip.
- AVS-licensed dog breeders — farms, mostly in the Sungei Tengah / Pasir Ris farmway area, that sell directly or supply the shops.
AVS publishes a downloadable public registry of licensed pet shops, updated regularly. If a seller's business name isn't on it (or on the equivalent breeder registry), walk away.
Two examples of licensed sellers with live websites that buyers actually use, both verified as of August 2026:
- The Lovely Pets — a licensed pet shop (AVS licence AS16J00033 displayed on its site) at 46 Jalan Limbok, a few minutes from the Serangoon North cluster and NEX. Sells toy poodles, maltipoos, shibas and other popular breeds.
- Puppy Singapore / William Goh Pet Farm — an AVS-licensed breeder (licence BR25052, displayed prominently) whelping at the Sungei Tengah farm cluster, viewing by appointment. Listed prices run S$3,288–S$10,888 depending on breed.
A listing here isn't an endorsement of any individual puppy's breeding — always visit, ask to see the parents where possible, and check conditions yourself.
How do you verify a seller's AVS licence?
Takes five minutes:
- Ask for the exact licence number (pet shop licences look like AS-xxxx, breeder licences like BR-xxxx). A legitimate seller volunteers it.
- Cross-check the business name and address against the AVS registry download. Names must match exactly — scammers borrow real shops' names with a different "branch" address.
- Confirm the puppy is at least 8 weeks old, microchipped, and vaccinated with records to show.
- Insist on viewing in person before paying anything. No exceptions.
What paperwork should a legitimate sale include?
| Document | What to check |
|---|---|
| Microchip certificate | 15-digit chip number matches the puppy when scanned |
| Vaccination card | Vet-stamped, at least first dose done, dates plausible for age |
| Dog licence on PALS | Seller initiates the licence/transfer on AVS's PALS system; it ends up in your name |
| Sales agreement | Seller's licence number, puppy's chip number, price, any health guarantee |
| Pedigree papers (if paying for them) | Issued by a recognised kennel club, not a printout |
All dogs over 3 months must be licensed, and HDB dwellers can only keep approved breeds — check our HDB dog rules guide before falling for a corgi.
What are the red flags of a puppy scam?
Online puppy scams cost Singaporean buyers thousands every year. Walk away if you see:
- Deposits for "imported puppies" you can't view — the classic. The puppy is "arriving from Australia/Korea" and needs a deposit, then "quarantine fees", then vanishes.
- Prices too good to be true — a S$800 "purebred shiba" doesn't exist; licensed-source shibas run S$7,000+.
- No viewing allowed — any excuse ("farm is closed to visitors", "COVID rules") means no deal.
- Payment by bank transfer to a personal account, PayNow to a random name, or gift cards.
- Carousell, Facebook and Telegram listings — treat every live-animal classified ad as a scam until proven otherwise; licensed sellers don't need to sell there.
Should you adopt instead?
Yes, if a specific breed isn't the point. Puppies and young mixed-breed dogs are regularly available at:
- SPCA Singapore — adoption fees roughly S$25–S$350 including sterilisation, vaccination and microchip.
- SOSD (Save Our Street Dogs) — structured adoption process with home visits.
- Action for Singapore Dogs — typically 70+ dogs available at any time.
Most shelter dogs are local mixed-breeds ("Singapore Specials"); many are HDB-approved under Project ADORE. Shelters also screen adopters and match temperament to your household — first-time owners often end up with an easier dog this way than by picking the cutest face in a shop window. Fostering first is an option at SOSD and ASD if you're unsure.
What should you do before committing?
Buying the puppy is the cheap part. Budget for the first year — food, vet visits, vaccinations, sterilisation, grooming and gear add S$2,000–S$4,000 on top of the sticker price; our dog cost guide breaks it down. Then read our full guide to buying a puppy in Singapore for the step-by-step process, from shortlisting breeds to bringing the puppy home.