Registering your dog
Applying to register your dog
As dogs reach the age of three months they must be registered, with the cost determined by the time left in the current registration period.
To find out if you are entitled to a discount, ie if your dog is neutered or spayed, and you qualify for responsible dog owner status or you are entitled to pro rata fees, get in touch.
New dog registration form (PDF 226kb)
Re-registering your dog
When it’s time to re-register your dog, we will send you the registration form along with your invoice.
To renew your dog registration online you will need your Dog ID and Person ID which you will find on the invoice you have received from us.
If you own more than one dog, you can pay for more than one dog at a time!
Applying for responsible dog owner status
We offer reduced registration fees to owners of dogs who have responsible dog owner status. To apply:
- The dog must have been registered with us for at least 12 months
- If you live in a rented property, you need to have a letter from your landlord authorising you to keep the dog on the property
- Your property needs to be securely fenced
- You need to display good control over the dog when we inspect your property
- People must be able to gain access to your property without encountering the dog
To apply, complete the form and send it to us. We’ll then contact you to arrange a visit.
You will need to fill in a responsible dog owner status form:
Responsible dog owner status form (PDF 53kb)
Your responsible dog owner status can be cancelled if you pay your fees late, if your dog is impounded, or if a serious complaint is laid. If you move to a new address in Lower Hutt , please let us know, as your new property will need to be inspected and new responsible dog owner status will need to be applied for.
Letting us know about a change of ownership
If you get a dog that is registered under another owner’s name, or you are giving your dog to someone else, you or the new dog owner need to fill out a change of ownership form:
Change of ownership of dog form (PDF 46kb)
Requesting a refund
If your dog has died, or you no longer have the dog and it is still registered, you may be entitled to a refund on your registration costs.
You will need to fill in a refund request form:
Refund request form (PDF 43kb)
Applying for a licence to own more than two dogs in an urban area
If you live in an urban area and you want to keep more than two dogs over the age of three months, you need to get a special licence.
Download the special license application form (PDF 46kb)
Replacing a lost registration tag
Replacement registration tags are available for $5 from the cashiers’ desk at the council building in Laings Road. Please bring your current registration form with you or ask for a copy at the customer service desk.
Letting us know if you’re moving into or out of Hutt City
If you’re moving into Lower Hutt City and your dog is already registered, complete a registration form (PDF 226kb) and provide proof of prior registration – either the registration tag or a receipt. If you’re moving out of the area, please let us know so we can update our database.
Letting us know about address changes
If your address has changed since you last registered your dog, please get in touch with us so we can update your details. If you have responsible dog owner status, we’ll need to inspect your new property.
What will it cost to register your dog?
Look up the fees to register your dog
Microchipping your dog
All new dogs and those registered for the first time need to be microchipped, except for dogs used for herding and driving stock. Your dog needs to be microchipped within two months of being registered. You can be fined if you don’t get your dog microchipped.
Do you need to get your dog microchipped?
Any dog born before 1 July 2006 doesn’t have to be microchipped unless it is classified as a dangerous or menacing dog.
Dogs born since 1 July 2006 must be microchipped.
How do you get your dog microchipped?
Microchipping is a simple procedure in which a chip the size of a grain of rice is inserted into the scruff of your dog’s neck for tracking purposes. We offer microchipping for $31.
To get your dog microchipped, you can either bring your dog to our -
Animal services centre
21 Meachen Street, Seaview Petone, Lower Hutt
Opening hours: Between 8-9am, 12-1pm or 4-5pm Monday to Friday, 12-1pm on Saturday
You can also get your vet to microchip your dog.
If you get your vet to microchip your dog, you need to give us a copy of the microchipping certificate or bring your dog to our animal service centre. You may be able to save money by getting the microchipping done when your dog is being vaccinated or having other treatments.
Microchipping only needs to happen once, but you need to re-register your dog every year.
Impounded and seized dogs
Impounded dogs
A dog is usually impounded if it is allowed to roam uncontrolled, if it has wandered on to a property and the property owner requests its removal, or due to continual complaints.
Impounded dogs are held for seven to 10 days at the Animal Service Centre, and you should get in touch with them.
Seized dogs
A dog can be seized (usually from its own property) if it is unregistered or if it is posing a threat to public safety – for example, if it has attacked a person, stock or poultry.
If your dog is seized, you will be required to pay seizure fees and may need to pay other fees depending on what action is taken.
Look up these fees
If the dog has not been collected within seven to 10 days, a decision is made about whether the dog can be re-homed. If this isn’t an option, the dog may be euthanised.
Dangerous and menacing dogs
Dangerous dogs
A dog is classified as dangerous if we deem the animal to be dangerous, or if the owner has been convicted in court of an attack offence by their dog. If your dog is classified as dangerous you are required to pay a higher annual registration fee and your dog must be:
- Muzzled
- On a lead when in all public places
- Kept confined and neutered
- Microchipped
Menacing dogs
Parliament has restricted the importing, breeding and sale of dogs that are wholly or predominantly:
- American Pit Bull Terrier – dogs deemed as wholly or predominantly of Pit Bull type may be classified by us as menacing dogs
- Brazilian Fila
- Dogo Argentino
- Japanese Tosa
- Presa Canario
All the above breeds are dogs that are classified as menacing.
This classification also applies to any dog, regardless of breed, which council considers may pose a threat to any person, stock, poultry, domestic animal or protected wildlife.