SINGAPORE — If your pet dog or cat is missing, begin with a careful search of the last confirmed location and report the loss to the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS). Complete the official Lost Pet Report or contact AVS’s 24-hour Animal Response Centre on 1800 476 1600. Contact SPCA on 6287 5355, check its found-animal service and the AVS lost-pets gallery, and inform neighbours, security staff and nearby veterinary clinics. Use a clear recent photograph and accurate description rather than vague public appeals.
Do not run into traffic, enter drains or climb onto a dangerous ledge to retrieve an animal. A frightened pet may run farther when chased. Your best chance of reunion often comes from organising a search around the last reliable sighting, giving the authorities enough details to recognise the animal and making it easy for a finder to contact you.
12 immediate actions — missing pet checklist
- Check your home and the exact last-seen location. Inspect wardrobes, behind furniture, under beds, utility areas, cupboards, stairwells and other places the animal may be hiding.
- Search the immediate surroundings calmly. Use a familiar call, favourite treats and a torch where useful; avoid several people charging towards a frightened pet.
- File the official AVS Lost Pet Report immediately. Use go.gov.sg/lostpet or contact the Animal Response Centre on 1800 476 1600.
- Contact SPCA promptly. Call 6287 5355, describe your pet and ask about lost-and-found procedures and the found-animal gallery.
- Check the AVS lost-pets gallery. An animal found and taken into AVS care may appear there; a negative result does not mean the pet has not been found elsewhere.
- Give a precise description. Include the pet’s name, species, breed, colour, sex, approximate age, identifying markings, collar or tag, microchip number and last-seen postal code and time.
- Notify local people who may actually see the animal. Ask condominium or HDB security staff, neighbours, nearby vets, pet shops and estate cleaners to contact you if they spot it.
- Use a clear photo and short lost-pet notice. Include last location, date, identifying details and a safe contact method; seek permission before displaying posters on property.
- Ask observers not to chase a frightened animal. Request an exact location, time, direction of movement and photo from a safe distance when possible.
- Monitor sightings without abandoning the original search area. Keep a log of verified observations and return repeatedly to plausible nearby hiding places.
- Protect yourself from recovery scams. Do not send banking OTPs, identity documents or advance “release fees” to strangers who claim to have found the pet.
- When reunited, tell AVS, SPCA and the people helping. Update or remove notices, arrange veterinary care if needed, and check the pet’s licence and microchip contact details.
If the pet has just escaped, start the search and official reports now. The following sections provide a more thorough plan for Singapore estates, condominiums, cats, dogs and found-animal procedures.
Where to report a missing pet in Singapore
The current Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) instructions, updated on 6 November 2026, identify reporting as the first formal action. A pet owner may complete the AVS Lost Pet Report or contact the Animal Response Centre on 1800 476 1600. AVS also instructs owners to contact SPCA on 6287 5355.
These are distinct channels and should both be used. AVS maintains a database of licensed pets, found animals and animals under its care. SPCA operates its own lost-and-found reporting and animal welfare functions. An animal may be brought to one organisation without appearing immediately in the other’s records.
If you suspect an immediate animal-welfare emergency—such as a pet visibly trapped or severely injured—tell the relevant responder exactly where it is and what danger is present. SPCA lists 6287 5355, extension 9 for emergencies involving injured or abandoned animals. Do not attempt an unsafe rescue that may injure you or the animal.
Singapore Police Force is not normally the first channel for an animal that has simply wandered away. A suspected theft, deliberate harm or immediate threat to a person may create a separate police matter. Use 999 only for a genuine urgent police emergency, and tell the relevant authority the factual basis for any suspected offence.
The AVS report and SPCA inquiry should not be postponed until you have searched every park in the district. Filing early means that a finder, vet or animal officer may be able to match the description with an animal already in care.
What information to prepare for AVS and SPCA
AVS asks owners to provide the postal code, date and approximate time where the pet was last seen, plus its name, microchip number, breed, age, sex, colour and distinctive markings. The presence or absence of a collar and identification tag can help identify it.
A useful example is: “Missing sterilised female domestic short-hair cat, grey with white paws, last seen near Block [number], Punggol on [date] at [time], wearing a blue breakaway collar. Microchip details available privately to AVS.” This is much more actionable than “Lost grey cat, please help”.
Keep a recent clear photograph showing the full body and any distinctive marking. A second photo from the face or side may be useful. Do not use an image that is several years old if the pet’s size, colour or appearance has changed significantly.
If the animal is unusually shy, fearful of dogs, injured, elderly, blind or dependent on medication, share that information privately with the responsible organisations and with searchers who genuinely need it. Do not publish extensive medical records or your own identity documents.
Record whether the animal was wearing a harness, identification tag or licence tag. A collar may have come off after the escape, so a later sighting without the collar need not be discounted automatically.
The first hour: search nearby before going far away
Small cats and dogs can hide surprisingly close to where they escaped. SPCA advises checking wardrobes, behind the fridge, inside washing-machine compartments when safe, drainpipes, under cars and other hiding places. A pet may be frightened by unfamiliar sounds and remain silent even when its owner calls.
Start with the last confirmed doorway, open window, gate or carrier. Check rooms and enclosed spaces systematically. In an HDB estate, look along the corridor and near stairwells and lift lobbies, but never put yourself or another person in danger near a ledge or open service shaft.
Do not have ten people search the same stairwell while nobody checks the nearby car park. Assign small, precise areas. A person who checks a location should record the time and result, allowing the group to keep looking without repeatedly revisiting places that were inspected moments earlier.
Ask security staff whether there are cameras that cover the escape route. They may be able to check or preserve footage through their established procedures. Do not demand public access to private recordings or post images of uninvolved residents.
If you have a GPS collar or other tracker, check the time of the last position and device battery status. A location pin may be delayed or inaccurate, especially inside buildings. Treat it as a lead rather than proof that the animal is at a specific private address.
Missing cats: why quiet, nearby searching matters
A frightened indoor cat may retreat into a narrow, sheltered place and remain there for a long time. SPCA suggests searching in the late evening with a torch, when an animal may feel safer and the surroundings can be quieter. Take familiar food or a toy that produces a recognisable sound.
Search beneath stationary cars without crawling under vehicles in live traffic, behind planters, in sheltered ground-floor corners and other accessible spaces. Ask the relevant residents for permission before entering private property. Look gently; a cat may stay silent even when it hears its name.
Do not chase a cat that appears on a distant walkway or bolt towards it with several people. If it is frightened, it may retreat farther. Stop, remain calm and try to use food or a familiar voice to encourage it into an appropriate safe carrier.
A cat that has crossed into another block may still return to familiar hiding or feeding areas. Continue checking the original location and nearby routes after exploring a credible new sighting. Keep search times consistent and share observations with people who know the neighbourhood.
The Cat Welfare Society’s advice emphasises rapid search, posters and informing AVS and SPCA. It also recommends keeping pet cats indoors and securing windows and gates to reduce the chance of repeat escape.
Missing dogs: route, movement and safety
Dogs may cover more ground than a frightened cat, particularly if they escape through a gate, slip a harness or bolt after a loud sound. Start at the place where the lead, collar or gate was last secure. Ask people along likely walking routes whether they saw the animal and in which direction it travelled.
Give residents a simple instruction: do not chase a dog running near traffic. A person attempting to corner the animal could send it onto a busy road. Ask observers to report the location and, if safe, remain nearby to maintain visual contact without pursuing it.
Bring a secure lead, suitable harness, treats and water when searching. If you see your dog, avoid rushing straight at it or shouting angrily. Calm behaviour may make approaching easier; the precise method depends on the dog’s temperament and immediate hazards.
Check nearby vet clinics, groomers and pet shops, because a finder may take an animal to one of those places rather than calling AVS first. A vet may be able to scan a microchip. Do not expect staff to disclose another person’s private contact information; the relevant service can arrange a safe reunion.
If an animal is on an expressway, railway line, canal edge or other hazardous location, contact the appropriate professional authorities and give the precise position. A lost pet is distressing, but human safety must not be sacrificed for an untrained rescue attempt.
HDB estates: where a missing pet can go
An HDB block has multiple connected spaces: open corridors, staircases, ground-floor void decks, car parks, sheltered walkways, service passages and landscaped areas. A pet may move between blocks without travelling very far in a straight line.
Search accessible areas near the last known exit before expanding into parks or neighbouring estates. Ask neighbours and estate staff whether the pet was seen. Town councils may have information relevant to animal-control work around the estate, but AVS remains the principal official lost-pet reporting route.
Avoid entering lift shafts, electrical rooms, rooftop service areas, closed drain channels or construction sites. Do not climb corridor railings to inspect an outer ledge. If a pet is trapped in a dangerous place, report the problem and request appropriate trained assistance.
If an animal is found near a rubbish area or vehicle access, ask bystanders to keep a safe distance rather than attempting to drive or pull equipment away themselves. The animal’s exact location and condition are what responders need.
Some cats may hide within a neighbouring flat after following an open door. A polite request and a photograph can help, but do not accuse residents of stealing the animal without evidence.
Condominiums, private estates and landed houses
For a condominium, contact the management or security office and give the pet’s description, a recent photograph and the last-seen location. Ask whether the building has a formal lost-pet noticeboard, CCTV preservation procedure or access route used by security personnel.
A dog may have exited through an open gate while a resident entered, or a cat may have slipped from a service door. The building manager may know which common areas can be safely searched and when staff observed a relevant event.
In a landed estate, check accessible gardens and sheltered spaces and ask neighbours to look within their own property. Do not enter private grounds without permission or reach into a kennel or drain that contains another animal.
If the pet crossed a public road, notify neighbours and look for confirmed sightings, but do not attempt to stop traffic yourself. A coordinated search with safe routes is more useful than multiple people running across traffic lanes.
After recovery, inspect gate latches, balcony or window safety measures and the carrier or harness that failed. A responsible prevention plan should address the actual escape route, not just the pet’s behaviour.
Flyers: what to include and what to leave out
AVS and SPCA both recommend neighbourhood flyers and online notices. A good flyer shows a recent photograph, pet name, species and colour, visible markings, last-seen date and place, and a reliable contact method.
Keep the message short enough to understand while passing a lift lobby or shop. “LOST CAT — PUNGGOL BLOCK [number] — GREY WITH WHITE PAWS — LAST SEEN 8 PM” is easier to scan than a paragraph about the family’s emotional attachment.
Ask permission before placing flyers at vet clinics, shops, estates and other managed spaces. Do not attach notices to traffic signs or public equipment where this is not permitted or where they obstruct access.
Use a dedicated contact number or another suitable method if you are concerned about privacy. Avoid listing the full NRIC, microchip number, home unit number, passport details or other private identifiers publicly. You can share them privately with AVS or a veterinary clinic when needed to verify ownership.
When a pet is found, update the same online posts and remove physical notices. An old lost-pet flyer can cause confusion when residents continue to report an animal that is already safe at home.
Online groups and the problem of unverified sightings
Neighbourhood WhatsApp chats and social media groups can bring useful sightings, particularly when searchers provide an exact time and location. However, vague statements such as “I saw a similar dog yesterday” should not automatically redirect everyone away from the original last-seen area.
Keep a search log with four pieces of information: observation time, location, description and whether the person personally saw the pet. A photograph taken safely can help confirm identification. A secondhand rumour should be labelled as such.
If a person reports a frightened cat beneath a car, ask them not to crawl into a dangerous area or chase it. Instead, request that they maintain a safe distance and provide location details while a responsible owner or animal professional attends.
Avoid publicly accusing another resident of retaining the animal without evidence. If somebody demands money, threatens harm or claims to have taken the pet, preserve the communication and seek police advice as appropriate.
The benefit of online sharing is a larger network of eyes. The risk is confusion or unsafe actions based on inaccurate information. Give helpers simple instructions and appoint one person to collect reports.
The AVS lost-pets gallery and Animal Management Centre
AVS maintains an official Lost Pets Gallery listing some animals under its care. Owners who recognise a pet should contact AVS using its lost-pet form or the Animal Response Centre. A missing animal may not appear immediately, and different organisations may have different records.
AVS’s 6 November 2026 guide states that owners claiming animals housed at its Animal Management Centre should call 1800 476 1600 and arrange an appointment. The centre is at 57 Sungei Tengah Road, Singapore 699013.
Do not simply turn up expecting unrestricted access. AVS lists weekday appointment hours and closure on weekends and public holidays for the collection process. Confirm availability with its response centre.
The current AVS guidance lists impoundment charges of S$93 per dog or S$47 per cat, plus other applicable boarding or microchipping fees. These are current agency figures and may change; confirm them directly when booking a collection. Do not pay a stranger who contacts you through social media claiming to be an AVS officer.
The AVS lost-pets gallery also explains its process for animals unclaimed after seven calendar days. This makes timely contact important, but it does not mean an owner should wait until day seven to file a report.
Microchips and pet licences: why correct registration matters
A microchip stores a unique identification number that can link an animal to its registered owner. It does not normally function as a GPS tracker or show the animal’s live location. A veterinary clinic or authorised organisation can scan the chip when the pet is found.
AVS explains that a microchip is useful for reunion only when it is properly registered with current owner details. An unregistered chip may identify a number but not the person who should receive the animal.
Pet dogs and cats in Singapore are subject to relevant licensing requirements. AVS’s current guidance says that when a licensed dog or cat is found, it can use the licence record to help trace the owner.
If you recently moved from Yishun to Punggol, changed telephone numbers or transferred the animal’s ownership, verify that the licence and chip registration reflect the correct contact information. An outdated telephone number can prevent a well-meaning finder from reaching the owner.
SPCA also encourages owners to use identification tags and keep the pet’s microchip information registered. A collar tag is not a substitute for a chip, because collars can come off. But a readable tag may enable an immediate return without a trip to a vet.
What if someone says they found your pet but wants money?
A legitimate finder may ask how to arrange a safe meeting or explain actual expenses. Scammers may instead demand advance “release fees”, bank transfer deposits, OTPs or photographs of identity documents before revealing a credible location.
Do not pay merely to obtain a photograph or a claim that the animal is alive. Ask for an independently verifiable description and a suitable safe handover method. When uncertain, use AVS, SPCA, a veterinary clinic or another appropriate authorised channel.
Never give a bank login password, Singpass credentials, card PIN or one-time password to someone claiming to be a pet rescue volunteer. Such information is not necessary to return an animal.
If you are threatened or someone makes a credible claim to have deliberately taken or harmed the pet, preserve the messages and contact police through an appropriate channel. Avoid confronting the person or visiting an unknown isolated address alone.
Do not accuse all volunteers or finders of wrongdoing. Most community assistance is genuine; careful verification simply protects both parties and the animal.
If a veterinary clinic has found a similar animal
Contact the clinic, give the description and ask whether it has a lost-and-found procedure or can check a chip through its authorised process. A clinic may not be able to share another person’s private data, and a similar-looking animal is not necessarily yours.
Be ready to provide photographs, vaccination or registration records and a microchip number privately. Ownership verification protects animals from being released to the wrong person.
If the animal is sick or injured, ask the vet about urgent medical care and any costs or consent required, subject to the actual arrangement. Do not postpone veterinary treatment for a serious injury while debating a reward.
If a finder has taken the pet to a clinic, clarify which organisation is responsible for holding or returning it. Keep the contact and reference details together rather than relying on a chain of forwarded messages.
When reunited, ensure the animal can travel safely in a carrier or on a suitable lead, especially when frightened or injured. A second escape during collection is an avoidable risk.
Pets missing from boarding, grooming or pet-sitting services
An animal may escape from a boarding facility, groomer, pet sitter or transport service while the owner is away. Ask the responsible provider for a factual timeline of the last confirmed sighting and where the animal exited.
The provider should cooperate with AVS and SPCA reporting, current searches and any relevant footage or witness details. A statement that the pet “probably ran into the forest” is not a confirmed sighting; label it as a hypothesis.
Contact the facility and authorities promptly rather than waiting until the owner returns from overseas. Provide the pet’s records and any temperament or medication concerns to those searching.
Ask the provider to preserve relevant incident information without distributing private client records unnecessarily. Contractual or insurance questions may arise later, but search coordination and the animal’s safety come first.
Avoid a public campaign accusing an individual worker of a deliberate act before the facts are established. The immediate objective is finding the animal and ensuring an appropriate, safe response.
Older pets, injured animals and animals needing medication
An elderly pet may be less able to navigate traffic or defend itself, while a frightened animal with poor eyesight or hearing may not respond to its name. Give AVS, SPCA and searchers those practical details.
A dog with diabetes, epilepsy or another condition requiring regular treatment may need urgent veterinary help if found. Tell the relevant organisation the medication and approximate last dose when known, without posting sensitive owner information to a large public group.
If a found animal has an obvious injury, do not force it to walk or carry it in an unsafe way. Seek veterinary or trained animal-rescue advice. Frightened or painful animals may bite or scratch even when normally friendly.
Do not administer a stranger’s medication or improvised home remedy to an unidentified animal. The veterinary professional should assess the actual condition.
Pets that have spent time outdoors may be dehydrated, overheated or frightened. A safe carrier, quiet location and professional evaluation where needed can help prevent additional distress after recovery.
A sensible search schedule for the first 48 hours
In the first hour, check the home and nearest accessible hiding places, establish the last confirmed location, contact AVS and SPCA and notify relevant security or neighbours. Save the pet’s recent photographs and description in one place.
Over the next several hours, expand the search gradually along credible routes and ask vets or nearby pet businesses to watch for the animal. Create accurate posters and assign someone to monitor sightings while others conduct safe searches.
In the evening and early morning, consider repeating a calm search in quieter areas, especially for a shy cat, as SPCA recommends. Bring a torch and familiar food where appropriate; do not search unsafe drains or isolated areas alone.
On the following day, revisit the AVS and SPCA found-animal galleries, update the search log, follow up on recent sightings and check whether the last-seen route may have involved a vehicle, lift or adjoining estate.
Continue making appropriate checks after the first day. The absence of an immediate response from one organisation does not prove the pet is lost permanently. But do not substitute repeated online posting for credible local searches and official reporting.
How to prevent another escape after reunion
Identify how the pet left the home: an open front gate, loose harness, unsecured balcony, damaged window mesh or carrier door, or a frightening noise that caused it to bolt.
Use appropriately fitted collars, harnesses and carriers. Dogs should be safely leashed in public as required; SPCA recommends checking the condition of equipment regularly. Cats should be kept safely indoors and protected from falls or escapes through windows and balconies.
Check that the microchip and licence registration is complete and up to date. A chip without correct owner contact details is much less useful.
Consider identification tags with a current contact number. If a tag is lost, a microchip provides another way for a finder or vet to identify the animal.
Teach household members to check doorways and gates before leaving. During parties, deliveries or renovation work, place the animal in a safe enclosed room or suitable supervised environment so that repeated door opening does not create another escape.
If the pet is unusually fearful or tends to bolt, consult an appropriate veterinarian or trained animal behaviour professional about a realistic prevention plan.
Common mistakes that delay reunion
- Do not wait days to file an AVS Lost Pet Report.
- Do not assume SPCA and AVS have identical records.
- Do not chase a frightened animal into traffic.
- Do not enter restricted drains, lift shafts or rooftops to search.
- Do not assume a microchip provides live GPS tracking.
- Do not publish your NRIC, full home-unit number or bank details in a flyer.
- Do not pay a stranger an advance fee without a credible handover process.
- Do not treat an old location pin as a confirmed current sighting.
- Do not stop checking nearby hiding places because one distant rumour appeared.
- Do not fail to update AVS, SPCA and flyers after the animal is found.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I report a missing cat or dog in Singapore?
File the AVS Lost Pet Report or call 1800 476 1600. Also contact SPCA at 6287 5355.
Can I see animals currently held by AVS?
Yes. AVS maintains an official Lost Pets Gallery. Contact AVS if you recognise your animal; the list may not contain every newly found pet.
What should I do if my cat will not come out of hiding?
Stay calm and avoid chasing. SPCA advises searching nearby sheltered places and trying a quiet late-evening search with a torch, familiar food or toy.
Should I call the police when my pet goes missing?
For an ordinary escape, AVS and SPCA are the relevant first channels. Contact SPF if there is evidence of theft, deliberate harm or another possible crime. Reserve 999 for an urgent police emergency.
Does a microchip tell me where my pet is?
No. An ordinary pet microchip identifies the animal when scanned; it is not a live GPS tracker. Registration and current contact details are essential.
How do I collect a pet held by AVS?
Call 1800 476 1600 to arrange an appointment at the Animal Management Centre, 57 Sungei Tengah Road, and follow the current documentation and fee instructions.
How long does AVS keep an unclaimed animal?
AVS’s lost-pets gallery describes a process for animals unclaimed after seven calendar days. Report promptly and ask AVS about your actual case.
What if somebody offers to return my pet for a reward?
Verify the claim and arrange a safe handover. Do not provide bank OTPs, identity credentials or money to a stranger on the basis of an unverified message.
The decision sequence to remember
Search close to the last confirmed location. Report immediately to AVS and SPCA. Provide a clear description and photo. Coordinate trusted neighbours and vets. Verify sightings without chasing the animal. Keep microchip and licence records accurate. Confirm reunion with every organisation.
Related local practical reading: What to Do When Your Child Goes Missing in Singapore.
Official Singapore sources
- Animal & Veterinary Service — What to do if your pet goes missing (updated 6 November 2026)
- AVS — Official Lost Pet Report
- AVS — Current lost-pets gallery
- AVS — Contact and Animal Response Centre
- AVS — Microchipping and registration
- SPCA Singapore — Lost & Found
- Cat Welfare Society — My pet cat is lost
Independent Singapore pet-safety and reunification guide. Reviewed 11 November 2026. Follow current AVS, SPCA, police and veterinary guidance for your animal’s actual circumstances.