Registering your dog

How to register | Costs | Approved ownership | What you get | Fines | Late fee waiver | Deceased dog

It's a legal requirement in New Zealand to register your dog annually, and there is a fee associated with this.

If you're new to the Kāpiti Coast District or have a new and/or unregistered dog, you'll need to register your pooch with the Council immediately.

• The annual registration period runs from 1 July to 30 June with payment due by the end of July.
• All dogs must be registered by three months of age.

If you don't register your dog, you could be liable for fines of up to $3,000.

How do I register my dog?

• Bring your completed dog registration application form into one of our service centres and pay the fee in person.
• Post your completed registration form (and fee) to Kāpiti Coast District Council, Private Bag 60601, Paraparaumu 5254.
• Use internet banking (see the back of your registration form for more information).

If you're already registered as a dog owner with the Council, you can now also register your dog through our new Online Services Account portal. Please note that you'll need your registration form and either a debit or credit card to do this. Please also read our Online payment Terms & Conditions before proceeding with this service.

• Find out more about our new Online Services Account portal.

How much does it cost to register my dog?

• View the current dog registration fee schedule.
  

You are eligible for a discounted fee if you:

• pay on time
• qualify and apply for Approved Ownership (you must meet the criteria and apply before 1 May - see below for more details)
• have your dog neutered or speyed (you must provide a neuter/spey certificate from your vet)
• are a member of the New Zealand Kennel Club.

Approved ownership

You may be eligible for Approved Owner status, which entitles you to discounted registration fees. To qualify, you must have:

• adequate fencing
• a 24 month 'clean' history with Kāpiti Coast District Council Animal Management (see application form below for details).

Applications must be received by 1 May.

Please note there is a one-off application fee for this. If your application gets the green light, your Approved Owner status lasts for the life of your dog (unless he/she breaches any condition set out on the application form below).

The fee must be paid with your application form either in person at a Council service centre or by cheque if posting your form. Payment can also be made by internet banking  – you must use your dog owner number (printed on your registration form) as reference. Give our Customer Services team a call on 0800 486 486 if you don’t know your number.

• Application for Approved Owner Status

Council reserves the right to exercise discretion in the final grant of Approved Owner status.

Where does my dog registration payment go?

In our District, dog registration fees go towards funding a wide range of important services designed to help dogs, their owners, and the wider community. Some of these are:

• Providing a 24-hour response to urgent dog incidents or attacks within one hour from the time the call is received.
• Patrolling public areas, reserves, parks, beaches, sports fields in our community.
• Monitoring and enforcing the Dog Control Act 1996 and ensuring compliance with the Kapiti District Council Dog Control Bylaws and the Dog Control Policy.
• Investigating complaints (including dog threatening and attacks, domestic pets, stock and wildlife, barking nuisance, roaming, lost and found dogs).
• Dealing with wandering stock.
• Re-homing dogs.
• Providing and maintaining the animal management shelter.
• Providing education programmes, signage, poo bags and dispensers, and promoting community animal safety.
• Funding the National Dog Database.

Unregistered dog fines

Any dog not displaying a current registration tag on its collar may be deemed as unregistered and the dog owner may have to pay fines as set by the Dog Control Act 1996. Replacement registration tags can be obtained from the Council for the appropriate fee.

• View more information about these charges.

Application for dog registration late fee waiver

• Late fee waiver form

Registration fee refund on death of dog

If your dog dies, you are entitled to a proportionate refund of your registration fee. You must return the tag and/or provide proof of death from your vet, or sign a Deceased Dog Declaration Form. The refund is for the number of months left in the registration year following notification.