Registration - Responsible Owner Discount

Responsible dog owner

To encourage and recognise good dog ownership, the Council offers a reduced dog registration fee for people who achieve 'Responsible Dog Owner' (RDO) status.

Before you apply, check that you have complied with the RDO practices set out below, as there is no refund if we decline your RDO application.

How to Qualify

You can make sure your application is successful by meeting the following conditions and requirements.

Registration & Training Criteria

You are eligible to apply if you have:

paid your annual registration fees by 1 July
been a registered owner in Wellington for at least one year
- or attended and passed an approved RDO education and obedience course
- or provided current adequate proof of having held this status from another council.

Find out more about dog training providers:

Training

Care & Welfare

You must declare that you have:

not received a conviction under the Dog Control Act 1996 or been classified as a probationary or disqualified owner
not received an infringement notice or had a dog impounded in the last year
not had a substanted public complaint made against you in the last year
had your dog checked by a vet within the last 12 months.

Home Inspection

An Animal Control Officer will inspect your property to check that it is suitable.

You must show that your dog is controlled on your property within physical limits by either fencing, kennels, chains or leaving it indoors (all with hygienic and humane conditions).

How to Apply

Download and print out the form, Application for Responsible Dog Owner Status. Return the completed form with your application fee to Animal Control. Details are on the form.

Applications for the 2012/13 dog registration year are open:

Responsible Owner Status Application (101Kb PDF)

New Applications

There is a one-off fee of $55 payable with each completed application, on top of the annual RDO registration fee. Before you apply, make sure that you comply with all criteria on the application form.

Transfering RDO from Another District

If you have had RDO status in another district, you will need to apply to hold the status in Wellington.

Application Results

The Council will notify you of your application results. If you are granted RDO status, the special discount is automatically applied to your next annual registration fee - unless you receive a conviction, infringement or impoundment, or you fail to pay your registration fees by the due date of 1 July.

Keeping Your RDO Status

Responsible dog owners must pay their annual registration fees by 31 July at the latest each year to maintain their RDO status.

Registration fees are due on 1 July, but an owner loses their RDO status if they fail to pay their registration fee by 31 July.

Owners wanting to apply for RDO status must show a history of paying their fees by 1 July.

Overview
Registration
Introduction
Fees
Responsible Owner Discount
Exercise Areas
Owner Responsibilities
Policies & Bylaws
Lost & Impounded
Attacks
Desexing
Training