Criteria
Responsible owner status acknowledges exemplary dog owners and their dog-safe properties by offering reduced registration fees.
This is subject to payment of the application fee, the completion of an application and demonstration that the criteria below are met:
Note if you are a current special dog registered owner, you do not have to apply for responsible owner status.
URBAN
Adequate housing to confine the dog/s:
- Kennel and run when dog is outside, or
- Fencing: Dog/s are contained in a secure fenced area that is suitable to contain the size and breed type of the dog and there is access to at least one door to the dwelling/premises without having to enter the area where the dog is kept; or
- Inside dog at all times - toy and small dog breeds that remain inside at all times. This does not mean “allowed to come inside’”, it means “lives indoors when on the property”.
No record of:
- impoundings, roaming, infringements or other enforcement action; or
- late registration payments within the last two years.
No dangerous dog classifications have been issued to your dog/s.
Existing dog numbers comply with Taupō District Council bylaws (a permit is required if there are more than two dogs on any land or premises within the urban environment).
All dog/s owned or kept by you must be registered and comply with microchipping requirements.
RURAL
No record of:
- impoundings, roaming, infringements or other enforcement action; or
- late registration payments within the last two years.
All dog/s owned or kept by you must be registered and comply with microchipping requirements.
No dangerous dog classifications have been issued to your dog/s.
Any breaches of the criteria in either urban or rural classifications may result in immediate cancellation of your responsible owner status.
An application can be lodged at any time, however if you are registering a dog for the first time you will need to pay the full registration rate and the non-refundable special dog classification application fee.
If you are approved, the difference between the full registration rate and the special dog rate will be held as a credit on you owner account to be applied to the following year's registration.
Animal management fees and charges
