Hiring a Maid for Your Furry Friends

At a Glance

A helper may look after your own pets at your home, as part of household chores at the address declared to MOM.
Pet sitting or dog walking for other households counts as illegal deployment: fine up to S$10,000.
HDB flats allow up to 2 cats and 1 dog of an approved small breed; breaches can cost up to S$4,000.
All cats and dogs in Singapore must be licensed with AVS (the cat transition period ended 31 Aug 2026).
Pet duties never replace her rest: 1 rest day a week, with at least 1 a month that cannot be compensated away.

Friends,

More Singapore homes now have a dog snoring on the sofa or a cat judging everyone from the top of the fridge.

Pets need feeding, walks, litter changes and company... every single day, including the days you work late. A helper who likes animals can make the whole home run smoother, as long as you hire for it and stay within the rules.

Can a maid in Singapore take care of my pets?

Yes, for your own pets at your own home. MOM says a helper must only perform household chores at your residential address, and employers are penalised for deploying her to another address or to non-domestic work.

Swipe left or right to see the full table on mobile.

Pet task	OK for your helper?
Feeding, water, litter box, cleaning up at home	✓ Household chore at your address
Walking your own dog around the estate	✓ Part of caring for your household
Walking or minding a neighbour's or relative's pet	✕ Work for another household
Helping at your pet shop, grooming or boarding business	✕ Non-domestic work

Source: MOM employment rules for migrant domestic workers, checked 15 Oct 2026. Illegal deployment fine up to S$10,000.

What pet rules must a Singapore household follow?

2 + 1

HDB pet limit

Up to 2 cats and 1 dog of an HDB-approved small breed per flat. Fine up to S$4,000.

All

Cats and dogs licensed

Required by AVS for traceability, for example during a rabies outbreak.

1st

Pet Ownership Course

First-time licence applicants must finish the free online course first.

Sources: AVS limits of ownership and AVS licensing requirements, checked 15 Oct 2026. The licence stays in the owner's name and the paperwork sits with you as the owner.

What should I look for in a maid who will care for pets?

Real comfort with animals

Ask if she has kept dogs or cats, or worked in a home with them. Ask about fears and allergies upfront. A helper who enjoys the dog walk will do it better than one who dreads it.

Patience and routine

Pets have quirks and like fixed feeding and walk times. Look for a steady, reliable person who follows a schedule.

Honest about workload

Tell her at the interview exactly which pets she will care for, alongside cooking, cleaning or childcare. No surprises after she lands.

An agency that asks about pets

A good agency screens candidates for pet experience and states pet duties clearly before placement.

How do I set up pet care duties for my helper?

Write the routine

Feeding amounts and times, walks, litter, grooming, medicine doses. One page on the fridge.

Show, then watch

Do the first few walks, baths and pill times together until she is confident.

Plan for emergencies

Save your vet's number and the nearest 24-hour clinic, agree who she calls first, and keep a carrier and cab money ready.

Does pet care change my helper's rest day?

She is entitled to 1 rest day a week, on a day you both agree.
At least 1 rest day a month cannot be compensated away.
If she agrees to work on another rest day, pay her at least 1 day's salary on top of her monthly pay.
Plan who feeds and walks the pets on her day off. That one is on you, Friend.

Source: MOM rest days and well-being, checked 15 Oct 2026.

Find a helper who loves animals

Browse maid profiles and look for pet experience in their bios.

Browse Searchmaid

Cheers,
Ray

P.S. Ask every candidate about dogs and cats at the interview... the honest "I am a bit scared" now saves everyone a very awkward first walk.