AVS to launch public consultation on proposed regulations for veterinary sector to safeguard and uplift veterinary professional standards

The Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS), a cluster under the National Parks Board (NParks), will be launching a public consultation on the proposed Veterinary Practice Bill before the end of the year. This new legislation will provide the legal foundation for the Veterinary Council, a new professional body that will be established to regulate and uplift professional standards in Singapore’s veterinary sector.

The Veterinary Council will provide pet owners with greater assurance that their veterinarians meet established professional standards and are held accountable for their practice. AVS and the Singapore Veterinary Association (SVA) have also jointly developed a set of Veterinary Therapeutic Guidelines, in response to a growing interest in a wider range of treatment options for animal patients, including non-conventional therapies. These initiatives were announced by Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State for National Development and Trade and Industry, at the Singapore Vet Show 2025.

Strengthening Professional Standards in Veterinary Care

The proposed Veterinary Practice Bill is a new piece of legislation supporting the Veterinary Council’s functions, encompassing the Veterinary Council’s composition, a framework for registration (including a new register for veterinary specialists), and disciplinary proceedings for veterinarians (including a mechanism for appeals to be heard). 

The proposed Bill was developed following a comprehensive review of legislative gaps and extensive stakeholder engagement, including sessions with AVS-licensed veterinarians in July 2025. 

When established, the Veterinary Council will oversee the registration and issuance of practising certificates to veterinarians, including veterinary specialists, as well as any investigations and disciplinary actions. It will also set continuing education requirements, accredit training programmes, and regulate the standards of conduct and ethics of registered veterinarians. Veterinarians currently licensed by AVS will be transferred to the new framework. In time, the Bill will also extend to veterinary nurses.

The public consultation on the draft Veterinary Practice Bill will be available for one month on the Reaching Everyone for Active Citizenry @ Home (REACH) platform before the end of the year, inviting feedback from pet owners, industry professionals, and the wider public. More details on the launch of public consultation will be released later.

Introducing the Veterinary Therapeutic Guidelines

Since 2021, AVS and SVA have collaborated on a series of guidelines to raise professional standards in the veterinary sector. These efforts aim to support veterinarians and pet owners in making informed decisions across various aspects of animal healthcare.

In response to a growing interest in non-conventional therapies for animals, AVS and SVA have jointly developed a new set of Veterinary Therapeutic Guidelines. These guidelines provide a structured framework for veterinarians and pet owners to navigate conventional, novel, complementary, and alternative therapies for pet animals. 

Conventional therapies are widely accepted treatments that have undergone rigorous scientific evaluation and peer review to demonstrate their safety and effectiveness. Novel therapies refer to treatments with minimal or no established history for a specific ailment in a particular animal species, while complementary or alternative therapies refer to treatments which support the body’s natural healing processes and include modalities such as acupuncture and massage therapies. The administration of all therapies is supported by additional established safeguards, including being recommended by AVS-licensed veterinarians as part of clinical care provided to animal patients and done in accordance with the Code of Ethics for Veterinarians.

The guidelines are designed to support clinical judgement and allow veterinarians to tailor treatments to the unique needs of each animal and client. These standards provide necessary safeguards through specific criteria that veterinarians should follow when carrying out any form of treatment. For pet owners, they offer greater transparency and informed decision-making when considering such treatment options, helping to ensure the health and welfare of their pets. The guidelines can be found at https://go.gov.sg/veterinary-therapeutic-guidelines ↗ (opens in new tab). 

Safeguarding Veterinary Professional Standards and Supporting Pet Owners

With pet ownership on the rise, Singapore’s veterinary sector is expanding to meet the growing demand for high-quality animal care. These initiatives aim to ensure that veterinary professionals uphold professional standards and accountability, providing greater assurance to pet owners as well as safeguarding animal health and welfare.

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