Dog Registration

Dogs

All dogs must be registered from three months of age and re-registered every year in July. If you haven’t received your renewal notice by the second week of July, please contact Customer Services. Registration is due in July and must be paid by the 31st of August, otherwise an additional 50% late penalty fee applies. If you have Selected Owner status, you will need to pay the registration fees by the 31st of July to retain this status.

If you have any queries, please call Customer Services (03) 687 7200 or email customer@timdc.govt.nz , we are happy to help.

To renew your dog registration online, please visit our dog registration renewal page.

All dogs must be registered at the age of three months and from 1 July every year thereafter. Registration is due from 1 July, to be paid by 31 August. If your dog is neutered or spayed or you have Selected Owner Status, you'll get a discounted fee.

New dog owners will need to fill in a dog registration form.

After your first registration, you are eligible to be considered for Selected Owner Status.

Your registration fee does not just cover the issue of your dog registration tag, but contributes to many aspects of dog control, including:

  • Implementing, monitoring and enforcing dog control policy and law
  • Investigating and resolving dog complaints
  • Promoting better care and control of dogs
  • Education around safety around dogs and bite prevention
  • Upkeep of dog administration (e.g. registration database)
  • Providing care and facilities for impounded dogs
  • Rehoming services
  • Our After-hours service
  • Ongoing staff training and development

The collar tag will be issued upon receipt of your registration fee and any other charges due.

Council mails out dog registration renewal notices each year end of June/early July. Please check with Customer Services, if you do not receive your renewal notice by the second week of July.

If you change your address you must notify Council of this. Check with Customer Services if you do not receive your renewal notice by 30 June to avoid non-renewal.


What happens if I don't pay my dog registration?

Failure to pay your dog registration may result in a penalty fee being added. Continued failure to pay could result in a $300 fine, seizure and impounding of your dog or prosecution under the Dog Control Act.

Where a dog owner with a "responsible dog owner" status under the Selected Owner Policy fails to pay their registration by 31 July of any year, the registration fee will revert to the standard fee for the classification of dog and the owner will lose Selected Owner status for that year.

Transferring registration

If you get a dog that is registered under someone else's name or you give the dog to someone else, you need to advise the Council in writing within 14 days.

If your dog has died

We understand that this can be a very difficult time, but you need to notify Council if your dog has died or has been put down within 14 days. You may be eligible for a refund of part of your dog registration fee if it is part way through the registration year. Simply let us know it must be in writing (email, declaration dog is deceased or vet certificate) Please be advised that it is an offence to state that your dog is dead, knowing that statement to be false.

Update your details

If you leave the area or change your contact details, you need to let the Council know in writing within 14 days.

Last updated: 04 Jul 2024