From March onwards, all pet dogs will have to be licensed before being sold or given away as part of the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA)'s new licensing regime.
What this means is stricter rules for both dog owners and pet businesses — all dogs intended for sale will have to be registered and licensed by AVA first, while individual dog owners will have to inform AVA if they're selling or giving away their puppers.
AVA's new scheme is well-intentioned, of course. Its aim is to improve traceability of pet dogs in Singapore (especially in the event of a disease outbreak), discourage pet abandonment and help reunite lost dogs with their owners. By registering the dogs, it'll be easier to track the people responsible for their care and wellbeing.