Newly established Singapore Veterinary Council members appointed

The Singapore Veterinary Council (SVC) has been established as a professional body under the National Parks Board (NParks), with 14 members appointed to oversee the regulation of veterinary professionals and advance professional standards in Singapore’s veterinary sector. The establishment of the SVC is underpinned by the Veterinary Practice Act, which provides the legal foundation for its functions, including the registration of veterinarians, accreditation of training programmes, and disciplinary processes for the profession.

The SVC comprises representatives from the public and private sectors, including experienced veterinary and non-veterinary professionals. This ensures balanced decision-making that draws on professional expertise while safeguarding the public interest.

Minister of State for National Development, Mr Alvin Tan, shared that: “The SVC will oversee regulation of veterinary professionals and advance professional standards across Singapore’s veterinary sector. This will provide greater assurance to pet owners that veterinarians meet established professional standards and are accountable for their practice. I congratulate SVC members on their appointment, and thank them for taking up this important task as we continue to uplift industry standards and safeguard animal health and welfare in Singapore.”

Strengthening professional standards in a growing veterinary sector

Singapore’s veterinary sector has evolved significantly over the years, alongside rising pet ownership and growing demand for animal healthcare services. The sector has expanded in size, scope and complexity, with a wider range of services and treatment options now available to animal owners.

The Veterinary Practice Act addresses existing gaps in legislation by establishing a clear and consistent framework for professional registration, education and discipline. This will help to safeguard animal welfare, strengthen public confidence in veterinary services, and support the continued growth and development of the veterinary sector. The establishment of the SVC is an important milestone in strengthening the governance of the profession and ensuring that professional standards continue to keep pace with the sector’s development.

 Appointment of SVC members

The appointed members of the SVC are:

Veterinarians with Full Registration

1.     Dr Cathy Chan (President)

2.     Dr Anthony Goh

3.     Dr Chow Haoting

4.     Dr Chua Sin Bin

5.     Dr Kenneth Tong

6.     Dr Leslie Retnam

7.     Dr Low Ji Zhen

8.     Dr Nathalee Prakash

Non-veterinary professionals

1.     Mr Gerald Tan

2.     Mr Vincent Hoong

Ex-officio members

1.     Dr Teo Boon Han, President, Singapore Veterinary Association

2.     Dr Chang Siow Foong, Director-General, Animal Health and Welfare

3.     Dr Timothy Chua, Registrar

4.     Ms Anesha Begum d/o Mohamud Ali, Deputy Registrar

Supporting a smooth transition for veterinarians

As the SVC prepares to operationalise its functions, the Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS), a cluster under NParks, will remain the point of contact for all licensing, continuing professional education and complaints-related matters for veterinarians. The transition to the SVC's registration framework will be implemented progressively from 2027, with full implementation targeted for 2028. During this period, AVS will continue to support the profession and ensure continuity of services.

All veterinarians holding a valid licence under the Animals and Birds Act will transition seamlessly to the new framework, with no disruption to their practice. Engagement sessions will also be held with veterinarians to explain the transition arrangements and address any questions they may have regarding the registration framework and implementation process. Further details on timelines and transition arrangements will be shared closer to implementation.

The SVC and AVS will continue to engage stakeholders on issues including the extension of registration to professionals such as veterinary nurses. The SVC will also provide guidelines on supervision for the sector, to support high standards of care.  

Link to SVC’s website: https://go.gov.sg/sgvetcouncil ↗ (opens in new tab)

Building a trusted and future-ready veterinary profession

The establishment of the SVC reflects Singapore’s commitment to strengthening professionalism and accountability in veterinary practice. By bringing together veterinary and non-veterinary professionals to oversee standards and professional conduct, the SVC will help ensure that animals receive safe, ethical and scientifically sound care, while providing pet owners with greater confidence in the quality of veterinary services available in Singapore.

Annex - Profile of appointed SVC members [PDF, 114.22 KB] ↗ (opens in new tab)

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