Registration - Responsible Owner Discount

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

Applying

Responsible dog owner

To apply for the Responsible Dog Owner status you must have complied with a number of responsible dog owner practices, and confirm that you will continue to do so.

Applications for the 2011/12 dog registration year are now open and will close on Saturday 30 April 2011.

There is a one-off fee of $52.50 payable with each completed application, in addition to the annual RDO registration fee. When applying, make sure that you comply with all criteria on the application form. There is no refund for declined RDO applications. If you change address, you need to reapply for RDO status and pay a further $52.50 fee.

Responsible Owner Status Application (70Kb PDF)

How to Qualify

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 Responsible Dog owner education and obedience course
  • or provided current adequate proof of having held this status from another council.

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

Training

In addition to meeting the above conditions, you must also 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 been the subject of a substantial public complaint in the last
• you have had your dog checked by a vet within the last 12 months.

Finally, once we verify you meet the above conditions, you must demonstrate 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). An Animal Control Officer will inspect your property to verify its suitability.

Results

The Council will notify you of your application results. If responsible owner status is granted, 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.

Note:
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.

Related Links

• Dog Policy
• Dog Registration Application (153Kb PDF)
• Multiple Dog Application (66Kb PDF)

Department Details:
Animal Control