Disability assist dog status declaration

A dog wearing its medical alert K9 MB assistance dog vest, showing it is a disability assist dog.

A disability assist dog must be certified by one of the authorised organisations as being a dog that has been trained, or is being trained, to assist a person with a disability.

We require a letter from one of the authorised organisations before this category can be applied to a dog. Doctor letters are not accepted.

You can view a list of authorised organisations and read more about the disability assist dog classification by following the link below:

Dog classification – Disability Assist dog

There is no registration fee for disability assist dogs, but you still have to register the dog annually to receive a tag.

If your dog is not already registered, please register it and declare its status during registration.

Online

Step 1.Gather letter and Dog ID(s)

You will need a signed letter from the organisation your dog has been certified by.

You will need your Dog ID, which is the animal number shown on your dog registration invoice. The number is in the 'WDC ID' column, next to the dog's name. This will ensure we identify the correct dog(s).

If you have not received your dog registration invoice or are unsure of the Dog ID, please contact us on 09 430 4200 during business hours.

Our business hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday (closed public holidays).

Step 2.Complete declaration

Fill in our online declaration and upload the signed letter.

Disability assist status declaration form

Step 3.Check and update details

We will check your request and update the dog's details in our system.

Step 4.Receive update

You will receive an update to your request via email.

By email

Step 1.Gather letter and Dog ID(s)

You will need a signed letter from the organisation your dog has been certified by.

If you have not received your dog registration invoice or are unsure of the Dog ID, please contact us on 09 430 4200 during business hours.

Our business hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday (closed public holidays).

Step 2.Complete declaration

Download, print and complete the declaration .

Working dog status declaration form(PDF, 169KB)

Step 3.Email to us

Email your completed declaration and signed letter to:

Email: mailroom@wdc.govt.nz

Step 4.Check and update details

We will check your request and update the dog's details in our system.

Step 5.Receive update

You will receive an update to your request via email.

By post

Step 1.Gather letter and Dog ID(s)

You will need a signed letter from the organisation your dog has been certified by.

If you have not received your dog registration invoice or are unsure of the Dog ID, please contact us on 09 430 4200 during business hours.

Our business hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday (closed public holidays).

Step 2.Complete declaration

Download, print and complete the declaration.

Working dog status declaration form(PDF, 169KB)

Step 3.Post to us

Post your completed declaration and signed letter to:

Whangarei District Council
Private Bag 9023
Te Mai
Whangārei 0143

Step 4.Check and update details

We will check your request and update the dog's details in our system.

Step 5.Receive update

You will receive an update to your request via email.

In-person

Step 1.Gather letter and Dog ID(s)

You will need a signed letter from the organisation your dog has been certified by.

If you have not received your dog registration invoice or are unsure of the Dog ID, please contact us on 09 430 4200 during business hours.

Our business hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday (closed public holidays).

Step 2.Complete declaration

Download, print and complete the declaration.

Working dog status declaration form(PDF, 169KB)

Step 3.Bring into us

Bring your completed declaration and signed letter into one of our Customer Service Centres:

Te Iwitahi
9 Rust Avenue, Whangārei
Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:00am to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays
Summer holiday closedown: Closed from 4:00pm on Tuesday 24 December 2024 and reopening at 8:00am on Monday 6 January 2025

Ruakākā service centre
9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā
Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30am to 4:00pm
Closed public holidays
Summer holiday closedown: Closed from 4:00pm on Tuesday 24 December 2024 and reopening at 8:30am on Monday 6 January 2025

Service centre at isite
92 Otaika Road, Raumanga
Hours: Monday to Friday – 9:00am to 12:00pm and 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays