Register your dog
Pay your dog registration
Once you have received your dog registration notice in the post or by email, there are a number of ways you can pay us:
- Pay by credit card online (you will need the Particulars and Code numbers found on your dog registration notice)*
- Pay in person at any of our customer service centres using cash, credit card or EFTPOS
- Pay by Internet banking, following the instructions provided on your dog registration notice*
*If you pay online or by Internet Banking, we will post out your registration tag within 10 working days of receiving payment.
Renew your dog registration
You must renew your dog registration before 1 July each year.
If your dog is currently registered with us we'll send you a renewal notice towards the end of May to remind you to renew your registration. Dog registration notices are sent either by post, or email if you have opted in to receive emails from us.
Carefully check all details when you receive your dog registration notice and if you see any incorrect owner or dog details, please contact us. If you do not receive a dog registration notice, please call us on 07 376 0899.
The annual registration cost includes a new tag which must be worn (attached to your dog's collar) when your dog is out in public. The tag colour changes each registration year. Once you have paid your dog registration fee, you will be given a new tag with a unique number to identify your dog. If a tag is lost or damaged, you can order a replacement.
What your dog registration fee is used for
Your dog registration fees help to fund a range of services that are designed to help dogs, their owners and the wider community. The fees and charges help to pay for our animal services activities including:
- providing and maintaining facilities for the care, welfare and return of lost, stray, impounded or seized dogs.
- investigation, monitoring and resolution of dog issues such as nuisance (barking & roaming), aggressive and dangerous dogs (rushing & attacks).
- monitoring and enforcement of the dog control act, bylaws and policy.
- installation and maintenance of pooper scooper bags & dispensers.
- friendly and professional advice to dog owners, our community and visitors.
- education programs.
- patrolling public areas, reserves, parks, sports fields and signage in public all aimed at public education, safety and where required enforcement takes place.
- standard overheads associated with animal control vehicles, technology, facilities, administration, record keeping of dogs required by central government (including the updating of the National Dog Database), staff costs, management etc.
Register your dog for the first time
All dogs must be registered from the age of three months. You are then required to renew your dog's registration by 1 July each year.
You can register your dog for the first time by:
- completing an application form and paying the registration fee at any of our customer service centres
To register your dog, you'll need to know:
- what breed your dog is
- its age, colour and sex
- evidence of working dog classification (if applicable)
- whether it has been neutered (desexed) including any certificates to prove this
- whether it has been microchipped including any certificates to confirm the microchip number
- any previous registration details, either under the name of a previous owner or with another council.
If you register a puppy for the first time part way through the registration year, you'll be charged a proportion of the annual registration fee based on when your puppy turned three months.
Dog registration fees
The table below shows dog registration fees and charges for:
- 2025/26 (fees apply from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026)
- 2026/27 (fees apply from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027)
All fees shown are in accordance with section 37 of the Dog Control Act 1996.
| Dog registration category | Fee 2025/26 | Fee 2026/27 |
|---|---|---|
| Working dog | $42.00 | $43.00 |
| Entire dog fee (if paid on or before 31 July) | $115.00 | $120.00 |
| Entire dog fee (if paid on or after 1 August) | $135.00 | $140.00 |
| Entire dog fee - Responsible Owner | $78.00 | $80.00 |
| Responsible Owner application fee* | $42.00 | $43.00 |
| Desexed dog discount** | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Disability assist dog | No fee | No fee |
| Pet therapy dog*** | No fee | No fee |
| Dangerous dog**** | 150% | 150% |
| Replacement tag | $15.50 | $16.00 |
| Multiple dog application fee for more than two dogs (urban area only) | $130.00 | $135.00 |
*Payable upon initial application ONLY, unless owner circumstances change.
**Discount off the full-year registration fee (not applicable to working dogs).
***As approved by council officers following confirmation of compliance with the legislation.
****Percentage of applicable Entire Dog Fee; before penalties are applied.
If you don't register your dog, you could be issued an infringement and your dog may be seized and impounded. All impounding and registration fees will need to be paid in full before we can release your dog.
Dog registration tag
Your dog must be wearing its allocated tag for the current year when in public. The tag colour changes each registration year. Once you have paid your dog registration fee, you will be given a new tag with a unique number to identify your dog.
If your dog registration tag goes missing or gets damaged, you can apply for a replacement online or in person at any of our customer service centres located in Mangakino, Taupō and Turangi. The fee for a replacement dog tag is shown in the table above.
Request a replacement registration tag online
Tags can only be purchased to replace lost or unusable tags and must be worn by the dog registered to that tag. Misuse of registration tags may result in an infringement under the Dog Control Act 1996.
Additional information
Dog collars and leads
A range of dog collars and leads are for sale at our customer service centres in Mangakino, Taupō and Turangi and the Taupō pound for $10 each.
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