No lease renewal for 8 pet businesses; AVS says their measures to improve animal welfare fell short

Eight commercial tenants at The Animal Lodge will not have their leases renewed upon expiration in December 2026, following their failure to meet the minimum requirements of a recent tender process aimed at elevating animal welfare and operational standards within Singapore's pet industry. Among the eight affected businesses, seven are dog breeders and one operates a pet boarding facility. The decision comes as part of a broader effort by the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS), a division of the National Parks Board, to raise the bar for animal care and business practices at the facility. The Animal Lodge, located at 59 Sungei Tengah Road, has been home to 35 commercial tenants occupying 53 units. These tenants include pet breeders, boarders, and a pet crematorium. Their current tenancies are due to expire on December 5, and AVS has informed them that only 27 of the 35 businesses met the necessary criteria for lease renewal. Those who passed the evaluation will be allowed to renew their leases for up to three terms, extending their occupancy until December 5, 2035. AVS director Trisha Eng explained that the tender process required businesses to submit proposals detailing how they would enhance animal welfare and operational performance beyond the baseline regulatory standards. While all tenants already met the licensing requirements, AVS emphasized the need for businesses to demonstrate improvements in areas such as animal living conditions, health and welfare practices, and biosecurity protocols. Businesses were encouraged to propose initiatives like more frequent health checks for breeding animals, improved ventilation systems, and enhanced breeding and boarding facilities. According to AVS, the tender process began in late 2025 with multiple sessions held to guide tenants through the submission process. These included town hall meetings, tender briefings, and workshops designed to assist businesses in preparing their proposals. Despite these efforts, eight businesses still failed to meet the established criteria. AVS did not disclose the identities of the eight businesses denied lease renewal, citing confidentiality concerns. However, some of the affected tenants expressed dissatisfaction with the decision. Two dog breeders and the pet boarding operator who were unsuccessful in their bids shared their frustrations with reporters, indicating they felt the evaluation process was unfair or unclear. Eng stated that AVS would assist the eight unsuccessful tenants in developing plans for the relocation and rehoming of their animals. She confirmed that no appeals would be accepted, emphasizing the finality of the decision. The focus, she said, remained on ensuring the continued high standard of animal care at The Animal Lodge. The Animal Lodge itself was constructed in 2017 by the former Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority to accommodate animal-related businesses displaced by urban redevelopment projects such as the Pasir Ris Farmway area. AVS assumed management of the facility in April 2019 and has since overseen its operations. The decision to limit the tender process initially to existing tenants was intended to minimize disruptions and avoid displacing animals currently housed at the site. In contrast, successful tenants like ChubbyBuddy, a cat breeder, have already begun implementing upgrades to their facilities. Founder Sheryl Chia mentioned plans to install new anti-slip flooring and repaint walls in their space, which houses approximately 50 cats. Additionally, the company conducts DNA testing for all its felines, a practice deemed to exceed baseline requirements by offering insights into hereditary health risks and genetic conditions. Similarly, Wellfond Pets, another dog breeder granted lease renewal, is planning renovations to its four units to create a more suitable environment for its dogs. Manager Clarissa Choo estimated the renovation costs could reach up to $200,000, highlighting the financial commitment required to meet AVS expectations. Units vacated by the eight unsuccessful tenants may become available for future tender processes, potentially allowing new entrants to apply. AVS reiterated its commitment to monitoring the transition plans of the affected businesses to ensure that the health and welfare of the animals are not compromised during the relocation process.