AVS Updates Animal Welfare Code for Groomers, Introduces New Guidelines for Dog Trainers

The Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) has revised its Code of Animal Welfare (COAW) for pet groomers and introduced a new code for dog trainers following recent incidents involving unattended pets at grooming facilities. Significant attention is given to ensuring that animals are never left unattended, whether they are tethered or in group settings.

Notable cases include a poodle that died in 2025 after being left alone in a crate at a grooming salon and a corgi that fell from a table while unattended, leading to its death. In another incident, a home-based groomer lost a dog that was struck by a vehicle.

The updated COAW for groomers aims to enhance standards of care and improve accountability and communication with pet owners. Key updates include stricter competency requirements for groomers and clearer definitions of grooming services. The guidelines emphasize the necessity of maintaining constant physical supervision of tethered animals or those in groups, especially for animals with special care needs, such as brachycephalic breeds.

Furthermore, the code now includes expanded requirements for the safe use of grooming tools and improved communication and record-keeping practices following a stakeholder survey in March 2026 and consultations with various industry participants.

The newly published COAW for dog trainers stems from the Dog Training Standards Workgroup (DTSWG) established in 2024, co-led by AVS and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Singapore. This new code advocates for the Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) approach to dog training, prioritizing positive reinforcement while limiting the use of aversive methods.

It outlines standards to ensure the safety of dogs, trainers, and the public during training. Trainers are required to demonstrate ongoing competency and maintain effective communication with clients while adhering to specific procedures for transportation and boarding of dogs. The AVS plans to consult with stakeholders and the public to revise the COAW, aiming to establish minimum standards applicable across all pet species and detail species-specific practices.