Dog registration

A happy dog with a bright red registration tag sitting on green grass with daffodils. .

All dog registrations expire on 30 June each year, and dog owners must renew their registrations by 1 August to get a discounted rate and avoid a penalty fee. 

Payments received by 31 July each year are discounted in line with dog management fees and charges. 

Dogs must be microchipped and registered before they are 12 weeks old. Contact your vet for more details on microchipping your dog. 

Registration fees depend on whether the dog is a working dog, desexed or classified as 'dangerous'. (Note: there is no added charge for a menacing dog classification.)

Animal fees

About registration fees

Registration fees are paid annually and used to maintain and enhance dog safety, management and enforcement. We do not profit from dog fees.

The fee structure is designed to reward good dog ownership. You can reduce your fees by neutering or spaying (desexing) your dog .

Registering your dog pays for:

  • enforcing the Dog Control Act and related bylaws 
  • education programmes and campaigns for schools and community or business groups
  • dog management, including law enforcement, patrols and attending to complaints and incidents
  • administering the animal management offices and kennels (dog pound)
  • administering our dog management programme.

An infringement of $300 may be  issued if you are found to have an unregistered dog.  All dogs must wear a current registration tag so they can be identified. 

Animal fees

Registered after 1 August

If any puppy, or dog entering New Zealand, is to be registered after 1 August, the fee shall be 1/12th of the annual fee for each month remaining in the registration year, after the date of such registration.

Discounted fees for desexed dog

Owners wishing to claim a reduced fee for dogs desexed in the last 12 months must produce a certificate from a veterinarian at the time the dog is registered certifying that the dog has been desexed.

If the dog has been registered, the reduced fee won’t apply until the following registration year.

The Dog Register

The New Zealand Government requires us to keep a database of dogs registered in the Whangārei District.

Please let us know if your dog's circumstances change.

 Information kept on the register includes:

  • name, address, and date of birth of the owner of the dog (allows for you to be distinguished from someone with the same name and is a legal requirement)
  • address where the dog is kept
  • description of the dog e.g. breed, colour, distinguishing markings
  • the age and sex of the dog (including whether the dog is desexed or not)
  • whether the dog is classified as a dangerous or menacing dog
  • description of any tattoo or microchip transponder that provides other permanent identification on the dog.

If you move to another council's area, notify us and the other council in writing, within 14 days, and please provide:

  • your new address
  • the registration number of the tag or disc issued for the dog.

A fine of $100 applies if you fail to update your address details.

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