Not sure about dogs but HDB prohibits cats in HDB flats. There
have been people who lobbied for change. Even NMP Siew Kum Hong
enquired the possibility for change but it was shot down by MP
Maliki.
http://siewkumhong.blogspot.com/2007/03/budget-2007-debates-ministry-of.html
Mr Siew Kum Hong : Madam, the Parliamentary Secretary has shared
with us some of the policies on pet ownership. I would like to ask
the Parliamentary Secretary whether the Ministry would review the
existing ban on cats in HDB flats. I understand that, very often,
HDB dwellers who do keep cats will let them roam around so that
they can deny owning the cats when confronted. They also do not
bother to sterilise the cats. This need for possible deniability
leads them to be irresponsible pet owners. If cat ownership is
permitted ---
The Chairman: A clarification, Mr Siew, not a speech.
Mr Siew Kum Hong: Yes, Madam. I would like to clarify with the
Parliamentary Secretary whether he agrees that if pet ownership is
permitted, subject to sterilisation and the need to keep the cats
within the flats, then many problems attributed to stray cats will
be resolved.
Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman: Madam, this issue of pet ownership,
cats especially, in housing estates has been discussed several
times. There are two groups effectively - one, the pet lovers who
feel that it is okay for pets to be in housing estates. As long as
they are sterilised, they will be able to manage and live among HDB
dwellers. However, there is also the other group off HDB dwellers
who are very particular about the nuisance created by pets of this
kind.
The policy of HDB has been that we do not allow cats to be kept in
HDB flats because cats are nomadic in nature and are difficult to
be confined within the flat. They have also given rise to problems
such as defecation, noise and shedding of fur, which will affect
the living environment of our housing estates. Having said that, I
think we continue to try to engage the pet lovers group to try to
bring both parties together. I think what is important is a sense
of appreciation of each other's side and to see if, at some point
in time later, they will come to an agreed position.
As of now, I think we receive a significant number of
complaints from HDB dwellers with regard to nuisance
created by cats. Therefore, at this point in time, the position of
the HDB remains the same - cats will not be allowed in HDB
flats.
Actually, according to the Cats Welfare Society, there has been
3000 signatures that petition for a change in HDB regulation but
even that was dismissed...
