Animal management fees

Last updated: 8 May 2023

Fees are used to promote responsible dog ownership in the district and safety around dogs, manage risks arising from wandering or troublesome dogs, provide and maintain the district pound/shelter, and meet our statutory obligations. Each year, we set our fees so they're in line with the local government cost index.

You are eligible for a discounted fee if you:

• pay on time
• apply and are approved for Approved Ownership (you must meet the criteria and apply before 1 May – see Approved ownership 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
• are aged 65 years or older.

See Dog registration for how to register and pay for your dog registration. 

How your dog registration fee is used

In the Kāpiti Coast District, dog registration fees go towards funding services designed to help dogs, their owners, and the wider community. Some of these are:

• providing a seven-days a week service, with an on-call after-hours service for urgent dog incidents or attacks and for found dogs, with a response time within one hour of receiving the call
• direct and indirect costs associated with employing an Animal Management Team, including administration costs associated with the team carrying out their duties and functions under the Dog Control Act 1996
• patrolling public areas, reserves, parks, beaches, and sports fields in our community
• investigating complaints (including threatening dogs and dog attacks; complaints about domestic pets, stock and wildlife; barking nuisance; roaming, lost and found dogs)
• re-homing dogs
• supporting the animals in our shelter
• educating dog owners; providing signage, poo bags and dispensers; and promoting community animal safety
• monitoring and enforcing the Dog Control Act 1996, and ensuring compliance with the Kāpiti District Council Dog Control Bylaws and the Dog Control Policy
• paying fees associated with the National Dog Database
• veterinarian costs.

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Fines for an unregistered dog

Any unregistered dog may be impounded, and the dog owner may have to pay fines as set by the Dog Control Act 1996. 

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Refund on de-sexing of your dog

If your dog is de-sexed, you're entitled to a proportionate refund of your registration fee. The refund is for the number of complete months left in the registration year following certification and is calculated at the difference in cost between the entire dog and neutered/speyed dog.

The refund is for the number of months left in the registration year from Certified date.

To apply for a refund, complete and return the Neuter/spey declaration form[PDF 186 KB].

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Refund on death of your dog

If your dog dies, you're 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[PDF 290 KB]. The refund is for the number of complete months left in the registration year following certification.

The refund is for the number of months left in the registration year from the Certified date.

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2022/23 fee schedule

Registration entire dog
CLASS OF DOG (fee code)	22/23 Registration fee (pro-rated)	22/23 Fee (including penalty) if paid after 5pm, 1 August 2022
Disability assist dog (A)	Nil	Nil
Working dog (B)	$72	$109
Working dogs – second and subsequent (B)	$43	$65
Standard dog (C)	$198	$296
Approved owner (D)	$170	$255
Registration fee for dog owner over 65	$184	$276
Dogs classified as dangerous dogs (H)	$295	$442
Owner current member of NZ Kennel Club (Dogs New Zealand) (G), provide proof of membership annually	$184	$276
Registration neutered/speyed dog
CLASS OF DOG (fee code)	22/23 Registration fee (pro-rated)	22/23 Fee (including penalty) if paid after 5pm, 1 August 2022
Disability assist dog (A)	Nil	Nil
Working dog (B)	$72	$109
Working dogs – second and subsequent (B)	$43	$65
Standard dog (E)	$102	$154
Approved owner (F)	$72	$109
Registration fee for dog owner over 65	$82	$122
Dogs classified as dangerous dogs I)	$154	$230
Owner current member of New Zealand Kennel Club (G) (provide proof of membership annually)	$82	$122

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Animal management impounding charges

Impounding has occurred when a dog is confined to a dog control officer’s vehicle or impounded.

Seizure has occurred when a notice of seizure has been served on the dog owner or placed at the dog owner's property.

No dog or stock will be released without payment of all impounding fees unless in exceptional circumstances.

Item	2022/23 First impound or seizure	2022/23 Second impound or seizure in any two-year period	2022/23 Third & Subsequent impound or seizure in any two-year period
Impounded (must be registered and micro-chipped to be released)	$55	$180	$322
Impounded – unregistered	$99
Sustenance – dog (per day)	$13	$13	$13
Micro-chipping – dog	$43	N/A	N/A
Seizure and take custody fee	$77	$77	$77
Prearranged after-hours release (two officers) – all (per hour charge per officer)	$167	$167	$167
Impounding – sheep and goats (per head charge plus any costs incurred in transporting stock)	$38	$66	$136
Impounding − cattle and horses (per head charge plus any costs incurred in transporting stock)	$66	$136	$271
Animal control officer hourly charge-out rate – this includes driving and securing stock costs	$167 per hour
Sustenance − sheep and goats (per day, per unit)	$6.50	$6.50	$6.50
Sustenance − cattle and horses (per day, per unit)	$13	$13	$13

** Auction is a requirement of Impound Act 1955.

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Other animal management charges

	22/23 Working	22/23 Standard	22/23 Entire
Permit for three or more dogs (special licence)	N/A	$66	$66
Approved owner application	N/A	$52	$52
Approved owner re-inspection fee*	N/A	$29	$29
Replacement tag	$6.50 - for first replacement tag $13 - for any subsequent replacement tag
Euthanasia	Amalgamated into Relinquishment fee
Relinquishment fee	$120**

* For site visit if:

• an approved owner changes address or;
• re-inspection to check that any required improvements have been made.

** Provides contribution towards sustenance costs (three days minimum and administration and/or euthanasia costs.