Reporting animal concerns

Use this section to report an animal concern to us

Report a dog concern

Contact us if:

• you see a roaming dog
• a dog is acting in a threatening way
• you are worried a dog may hurt people, pets, stock, or wildlife
• your dog has gone missing
• you have concerns about a dog’s shelter, food, or water.

Our Customer Services team will take the details and send them to our Animal Management team.

What we need to know

When you contact us, please tell us:

• what happened
• where it happened
• when it happened
• what the animal looked like
• whether anyone was hurt or threatened
• your contact details, so we can follow up if needed.

Why reporting matters

Your report helps us:

• follow up with owners
• monitor animal issues
• investigate concerns
• help prevent future incidents
• support safer communities.

Dogs

Our Animal Management team works with dogs of many breeds, sizes, and behaviours.

Our team is trained to respond to different animal situations. This includes concerns about roaming dogs, threatening dogs, and missing dogs.

Better dog control helps keep people, pets, stock, and wildlife safer.

Cats

You do not need to register your pet cat with us.

Cats are Aotearoa New Zealand’s most popular companion animal, and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) have published a Code of Welfare for Cats – pet or companion, outlining owners' responsibilities. The SPCA also provide information on Responsible cat ownership.

Who to contact about cats

• For questions about microchipping or desexing, contact your local vet.
• For cat welfare concerns, contact the SPCA
• For pest cat management, contact Greater Wellington Regional Council.

Other domestic animals

If you have welfare concerns about other domestic animals, contact the SPCA. 

Domestic animals may include pets and companion animals other than dogs and cats.

Feral and pest animals

A feral animal is a wild animal that comes from a domesticated species.

Greater Wellington Regional Council works with landowners to manage pest animals across the region. You can find out more at Pest management.

Under our bylaw, people must not feed, provide for, or care for feral animals in a way that causes:

• a nuisance
• a health risk
• a safety risk.

Native animals

If you are concerned about native birds or native animals, contact the Department of Conservation.

Call the Department of Conservation emergency hotline:

• 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468)

You can also check the Department of Conservation guidance on reporting sick, injured or dead wildlife.

Who to contact