Register your dog for the first time

Dog registration fees help fund a range of services that are designed to help dogs, their owners and the wider community. There is a small ratepayer contribution per year towards the cost of animal management services for stock control on our roads and highways and to recognise public good and education.

When to register your dog

  • When it turns three months old
  • When you first get him/her
  • Thereafter on 1 July of each year

By email

Register your dog

Please fill out this form(PDF, 812KB) and email it to yourcouncil@whanganui.govt.nz. If your dog is neutered, please ensure you attach a copy of the veterinary certificate to receive the relevant discount. Once your registration is processed an invoice will be emailed for payment.

Register as a special category dog

Please fill out this form(PDF, 277KB) and email it to yourcouncil@whanganui.govt.nz. Please provide proof of the dog(s) registration or affiliation with the appropriate organisation when submitting your application. Once your registration is processed an invoice will be emailed for payment.

 

In person

Visit us at 101 Guyton Street, Monday to Friday, 8.30am–5.00pm and a customer service staff member can guide you through the registration process.

Please use this form(PDF, 665KB) to apply for change of dog ownership details. You can scan and email to cas@whanganui.govt.nz and you will receive an email confirmation.

 

 

 

Fees 2024/25 (1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025)

Non-working dogs (including GST)

Full fee

First three dogs*

 $132.00 fee per dog

Prompt payment discount

For registrations paid on or before 31 July 2024 for the first three dogs (not applicable to working dogs)

 $12.00 discount per dog

Neutered/spayed discount

Existing dogs
For registrations paid on or before 31 July 2024 and veterinarian certificate provided to receive the discount (not applicable to working dogs)

First-time registration
A veterinarian certificate must be provided at the time of first registration to receive the discount (not applicable to working dogs)

 $24.00 discount

Responsible dog ownership (RDO) 

Owner has met criteria to be a responsible dog owner. Applicable per dog (not applicable if registration is unpaid from 1 August 2024)

 $24.00 discount

Multi-dog reduced fee*

For the fourth and subsequent dog with one owner. Subject to pre-approval (not applicable to working dogs)

 $11.00 fee per dog

PENALTY

Classified dangerous dog

Additional fee for dogs classified dangerous

 150% of applicable fee

Penalty fee late payment

Registration unpaid from 1 September 2024 of registration year incurs a penalty

 20% of outstanding fee

Working dogs (including GST)

Full fee

First three working dogs*

 $44.00 fee per dog

Prompt payment discount

Registration paid on or before 31 July 2024 for first three working dogs

 $4.00 discount per dog

Multi-working dog reduced fee*

For the fourth and subsequent working dog with one owner. Subject to pre-approval

 $11.00 fee per dog

PENALTY

Penalty fee late payment

Registration unpaid from 1 September 2024 of registration year incurs a penalty

 20% of outstanding fee

* Non-neutered/spayed and non-working dogs will be identified first when calculating first three dogs. 

Impounding fees (including GST)

First impound (1) – impounded dog is registered and has no impound or infringement history within the current registration year

 Free

First impound (2) – impounded dog is unregistered and has no impound or infringement history within the current registration year

 $90.00 per dog

Second impound – impounded dog has a previous impound within the current registration year

 $160.00 per dog

Third or subsequent impound – impounded dog has two or more previous impounds within the current registration year

 $220.00 per dog
 Sustenance fee (charged after 7 days) $20.00 (daily)

Other fees (including GST)

Micro chipping

 $30.00

Surrender of dog to be euthanised

 $90.00

Surrender of dog for rehoming

 $90.00

Sale of dog (plus any other relevant charges)

 $35.00

Replacement dog tag

 $5.00

Dog collar – large

 $14.50

Dog collar – medium

 $12.10

Dog collar – small

 $9.10

Drontal worming tablets

 $5.50

Walkeze leads

 $12.00

Bark collars

 $79.95

Dog registration fees must be paid in full by Wednesday, 31 July 2024 to receive a prompt payment discount. If you have not received your notice by Monday, 1 July 2024, please call us on 06 349 0001.

  • Online payments by credit card/debit card (this is the council’s preferred method of payment): Click here and choose the online option.

    You will need your client number (this can be found at the top of your dog registration notice) and your email address to pay online. Please note online credit card payments will incur a surcharge of 2.15%.

  • Internet banking: Use the Council’s ANZ bank account 01 0790 0157888 02

    Please quote your name, client number and animal number (these can be found on your dog registration notice) in the particulars and reference fields.

  • Cash/eftpos or credit card: Visit us at 101 Guyton Street, Whanganui, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm. Please note counter credit card payments will incur a surcharge of 1.9%. Please bring your dog registration notice with you.

For more information or if you have any queries, please call us on 06 349 0001.

 

 

 

This rebate will be lost for one year for the following reasons:

  • The dog attacked a person or another animal.
  • A justified rushing complaint was lodged against the dog.
  • The dog was impounded.
  • The dog was consistently wandering.
  • The owner failed to notify a change of address or ownership.
  • A justified barking complaint was lodged against the dog.
  • The owner has been prosecuted for an offence or has had an infringement notice issued relating to the dog.
  • An owner was found with an unregistered dog.
  • Response to complaints including:
    • Barking dogs/dangerous dogs.
    • Wandering dogs/rushing dogs.
    • Dogs fouling on public/private land.
    • Attacks on people/domestic pets/stock/wildlife.
    • Mediation between neighbours on animal matters.
    • Regular monitoring of problem areas and rubbish day areas.
    • Dogs restrained by the public/caught in traps.
    • Enforcement of the Dog Control Act and Whanganui District Council bylaws.
    • 24 hour service.
  • Promoting better care and control of dogs:
    • Visits to schools/community groups when requested.
    • Educating owners with problem dogs.
    • Radio/newspaper information.
    • Advice to dog owners and the public.
    • Dog poo bins located in Council approved dog exercise areas.
  • Provides and maintains the Pound facilities:
    • Notifying known owners if their dog is impounded.
    • Impounding wandering dogs/problem dogs.
    • Re-homing suitable dogs to suitable owners.
    • Euthanisation of unclaimed dogs.
    • Accepts all unwanted dogs.
    • The management of dogs with unknown owners.
  • Legal action for:
    • Dogs attacking persons/animals.
    • Bylaw offences.
    • Failing to register dogs.
    • Failing to control dogs.
    • Barking dogs.

Dog registration and microchipping are two different processes. You must register your dog every year, but you only need to microchip your dog once.

The following are required to be microchipped:

  • All dogs registered in New Zealand for the first time (excluding working dogs that are exempt).
  • All dogs that have been classified as dangerous or menacing on or after 1 December 2003 (including working dogs).
  • All unregistered dogs that are impounded.
  • All registered dogs that are impounded twice in the same registration year.

A working dog is:

  • Any guide dog, hearing dog or companion dog (companion dog means a dog certified by the Top Dog Companion Trust as being a companion dog or under training as a companion dog)
  • Any dog: 
    • Kept by the Police, Customs Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries, the Ministry of Defence; or
    • Kept solely or principally for the purposes of herding or driving stock; or
    • Kept by the Department of Conservation; or
    • Kept solely or principally for the purpose of destroying pests under the Biosecurity Act 1993; or
    • Owned by a security guard as defined in Section 4 of the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act 1974.

Contact Us

Phone

06 349 0001

Location

Whanganui District Council - Customer Servces
101 Guyton Street
Whanganui
4500
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