Registration - Introduction

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Dalmatian on leash.
Dalmatian on leash

All dogs must be registered before they are three months old. Dogs must then be re-registered by 1 July every year.

You also need to show proof that an approved provider has microchipped your dog.

Capital Canines - A Guide for Dog Owners (1.03Mb PDF)

How to Register Your Dog

Re-registration Invoices

When you receive your re-registration invoice in the mail, carefully check all details. Make any necessary corrections, sign it and send it back with the fee.

If there are any changes that affect the fees you need to pay, call (04) 801 3222.

Application Form

To register your dog, download and print out the Dog Registration Application form. Complete the form then post it with your payment or bring it in to the Council's Service Centre. We only accept hard copy, not faxed or emailed forms.

Dog Registration Application (239Kb PDF)

Council Service Centre
Wellington City Council
101 Wakefield Street
PO Box 2199
Wellington 6140

For current prices and ways to pay, see:

Registration - Fees

New Dog & Puppy Registration

Register your puppy before it is three months old.

Register your puppy before it is three months old

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Before you fill in the registration form, phone us to check how much you need to pay as this varies depending on the age of the dog.

Council Dog Enquiries
Phone:  (04) 801 3222

More Than Three Dogs

If you want to keep more than three dogs on an urban property, you also need to apply for a special bylaw licence.

Multiple Dog Application (66Kb PDF)

Dog Tags

Registered Dogs

If you re-register your dog at the Council's Service Centre, we can issue the dog tag at the counter.

Replacement Tags

Complete the Dog Registration Application form and send it in with your payment ($10.80) to the Council's Service Centre.

Dog Registration Application (239Kb PDF)

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Change of Ownership & Address

On change of ownership, both the previous and new owner must give 14 days notice in writing to Wellington City Council (and any other relevant council). The new owner must also complete the Dog Registration Application form.

If you move to another council district, you have 14 days to notify both authorities of your new address.

Dog Registration Application (239Kb PDF)

The websites for all the councils in New Zealand are listed at:

Council A-Z - Local Government website

Penalties for Unregistered Dogs

Owners of unregistered dogs face fines up to $3,000 (or an infringement fee of $300) as well as the registration fee.

Details of how and where to pay are on the infringement notice.

Microchipping

Microchipping makes sure that dogs can be quickly identified, which is a big help if your dog goes missing or is stolen or injured. All dogs registered after 1 July 2006, except working dogs, need to be microchipped.

New Puppies & Dogs

You are legally required to register a puppy at three months old and have it implanted with an approved microchip in the following two months. This requirement was introduced on 1 July 2006.

Other Dogs

You must also get your dog microchipped if it is:

  • classified as dangerous and/or menacing
  • unregistered and impounded
  • registered and impounded for a second time since 1 July 2006.

In these situations, you must supply your vet's copy of the implantation certificate.

Penalities for Not Microchipping

If you don't have your dog microchipped, you may:

  • receive a warning or infringement fine of $300
  • have your dog seized
  • be prosecuted.

More Information

For more information on microchipping, visit:

Dog Control - Department of Internal Affairs

Related Links

 

Department Details:
Animal Control

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