When is dog registration due Auckland

Step 1: You

Índice Show

Doggy rules
Care and control of the dog
Microchip your doggy
Public areas
Rentals and housing
Parks and beaches
Moving to Auckland?

We want dog owners to help make our city safe and friendly for everyone to enjoy.

Dog owners must register their dogs by three months of age and renew this registration every year by 30 June. We post or email registration renewal invoices to all dog owners who registered their dogs the previous year.

Your dog must wear a collar with its registration tag attached. You can get a replacement tag from us if one goes missing. You can be fined for not registering your dog.

If you’ve taken ownership of an unregistered dog, or your dog is registered with another council, you need to register it with us within 14 days.

You must be older than 16 to register as a dog owner.

If you want to keep three or more dogs on your property, you will need a special permit. This permit must be renewed annually. We’ll automatically send you the appropriate forms to complete when you register three or more dogs with us.

Fees for three or more dogs

You will need to pay $85 for a special permit to keep three or more dogs, then $40 to renew this permit annually. This is in addition to the registration fee for each dog.

To apply for a multiple dog permit:

You must have written consent from your surrounding boundary neighbours before you can apply or renew your permit.All dogs must be registered for the current year. If not, your permit application will be declined, or your permit may be revoked.

Your property must be fully fenced.

You will be asked to attach these certificates when registering your dog for the first time:

Desex certificate – if your dog has been desexed.
Microchip certificate – if your dog has been microchipped.

If you are renewing your dog registration, you will need your:

Registration renewal invoice – you should have received this invoice from us by post or email
Dog owner or dog tag number – these will be on your renewal invoice.

If you meet one of the following criteria, then please complete the form.

I want to register one or more puppies that are less than three months old.
I have taken ownership of an unregistered adult dog.
I have moved to Hamilton and my dog is registered with another council.
I want to renew my dog registration and I have received my invoice. (Please email or call 07 838 6632 if you haven’t received your invoice.)

How much you need to pay depends on the age and type of your dog, and factors such as whether your dog is imported and whether you’ve been a responsible dog owner.

Pay on time to avoid a penalty fee

Dog owners must pay registration fees by 30 June each year. You’ll be charged a late payment if you pay after 31 July. The late payment fee is 50% of the fee charged so you can save a lot by paying on time.

Discounts

You’ll receive a $15 discount if you renew your dog registration by 30 June each year.

Check your fees

How much you pay to register your dog depends on which category below applies to you.

Category one

you are eligible for this category if you have:

had no substantiated complaint(s), impounding, or infringement notices and been prosecution- and offence-free for a 24-month period
met the legal requirements to register your dog.

Category two

All other dog owners will be classified as category two and will have to pay the full fee to register their dogs.

Fees summary

Find out which registration fee applies to you below.

Dog registration fees up to 30 June
Category 1	$80.00
Category 2	$150.00

Dog registration fees after 30 June
Category 1	$95.00
Category 2	$165.00

50% Penalty - Applies to registrations after 31 July
Category 1	$142.50
Category 2	$247.50

How to pay

Pay in person

Animal Education and Control217 Ellis StreetHamilton 3240

Open seven days, 12.30pm to 4.30pm (excluding public holidays).

Pay online

New registration – You can pay online when you register your dog for the first time.
Re-registration – Renew and pay for your dog registration online when you receive your annual invoice from us.

Step 3: Council

Once you’ve registered your dog and we’ve received your payment, you’ll receive your new dog tag within 10 working days.

Dogs are required to always wear a collar with their current registration tag.

If your dog is not wearing a collar with a current registration tag attached, it will be treated as unregistered.
You can get a replacement tag from us if your dog's tag has been lost or stolen.

Last updated 22 July 2022

Auckland and its beautiful wide-open spaces is a fantastic place to bring up a dog. The city has pet-friendly beaches and parks, and several pet-friendly activities to participate with your canine friend. However, like most cities, Auckland has a list of rules and regulations for all pet parents to follow. If you are planning to move to Auckland , this is what you need to know about living in Auckland with a dog.

Doggy rules

The Auckland Council has clear rules and regulations when it comes to owning a dog in the city. These rules are in place to protect dogs and the general public.

Dog registration is mandatory in Auckland. All dogs must be registered with the Auckland Council, and your dog must always have the registration disc or strap attached to the collar. If your dog is a service animal or has been de-sexed, you will be eligible for a discount on the registration fee. Dog owners who are caring and responsible can also apply for a Responsible Dog Owner Licence. This licence is awarded to dog owners to meet a specific set of criteria including dog ownership knowledge, no substantiated claims of dog impoundments, etc.

In Auckland, as in other cities around the world, it is mandatory to pick up after your doggy and dispose of the waste responsibly. If you own two or more dogs, you will have to apply for a licence that allows you to keep multiple dogs on your property.

Care and control of the dog

As a dog parent, you are obliged to care for your dog at all times and ensure that it is under control. It is your responsibility to provide for your dog and make sure he or she is healthy and sufficiently exercised.

As a pet parent in Auckland, it is important to understand the leash laws in the city. Your dog is expected to be on a lead at all times in all council-controlled public places. A dog parent in Auckland is responsible for their dog and must ensure that the dog does not cause nuisance or harm, endanger or cause distress to another person or property.

Microchip your doggy

New Zealand’s dog registration rules deem that all dogs have to be microchipped within two months of registration. Any registered vet in the city can microchip your dog; make sure it is an ISO-compliant 15-digit microchip.

Microchips are vital because they can help reunite lost or stolen dogs with their pet parents. If your dog cannot be microchipped for health reasons, you can provide a letter from your vet stating the reason.

Public areas

Since Auckland has an abundance of wide open spaces, there are plenty of places to take your dog out for walks, exercise and socialisation. However, many public areas prohibit the entry of dogs, even on a leash and it is advisable to make sure before taking your dog to such places.

In general, dogs are prohibited on all council-controlled playgrounds and must be on a lead when your dog is close to a playground in use. If you are taking your dog to a beach, remember to check dog timings before setting forth. Certain beaches prohibit dogs from entering the beach during the day and allow dogs on a lead early in the morning and late in the evening.

Currently, dogs are not allowed on Auckland’s buses and trains, but the rules are set to change shortly. However, dogs in carriers are allowed on most ferry services.

Rentals and housing

Finding a pet-friendly property in Auckland may not always be easy, but the new lenient pet policy for housing in New Zealand means that it will henceforth get easier to rent pet-friendly homes. If you are looking for a home in Auckland that welcomes pets, here are a few pointers:

Be prepared to pay a pet bond
Get references from your previous property
Prepare a doggy resume with a photograph and recommendations from neighbours vouching for your dog’s friendliness
Make sure you mention your pet in the tenancy agreement

Parks and beaches

Auckland has several fantastic pet-friendly beaches for your doggy to run about and enjoy the water. Beaches such as Mellons Bay, Takapuna beach, and Piha beach are the more popular dog beaches in Auckland. Most beaches in Auckland are off-leash beaches during the winter. In summer, the off-leash hours are limited to before 10am and after 5pm.

Auckland has plenty of parks, but not all of them are dog-friendly. Make sure dogs are allowed entry before taking your pooch to a park. Some of the best off-lead dog parks in Auckland include Meola Reef Dog Park, Big King Reserve, Orakei Basin, Grey Lynn Park, and Auckland Botanical Gardens.

Following all doggy rules in beaches and parks is essential. Make sure your dog is always under control and does not cause distress to other people or animals. Be sure to pick and dispose of your dog’s waste responsibly, and don’t forget to have a great time with your doggie pal.

Moving to Auckland?

Auckland has so much to offer pet parents and is easily one of the best places in the world to live with your canine pal. If you are planning to relocate to Auckland with your dog, get in touch with Petraveller for a detailed pet travel itinerary.