Register your dog

If your dog passes away, you need to notify us in writing or visit our Forum North or Ruakākā service centre, and specifically request a refund.

It is important that you do this as soon as possible, as the refunds are calculated on the number of full months left in the registration year, from the date we receive your written notification. 

The written request for a refund needs to be accompanied by either:

• the current registration tag of the deceased dog
• a certificate or an invoice from a Veterinary Clinic confirming that the dog has passed away.

You will also need to provide proof of your bank account as all refunds are made to the owner's bank account.

Refunds are not available if your dog changes ownership or you sign your dog over to animal management.

Christmas closure

Our offices close at 2:00pm on 24 December 2021 and reopen on 10 January 2022.   

To ensure your refund request is processed before we close, please have your request to us by 4:00pm on 21 December 2021.  Otherwise your refund will not be made until 14 January 2022.

Lost dogs / change of district

Council will not refund a proportion of the registration fee in respect of a dog that has been lost, or has changed owners or Districts within New Zealand.

Registration fees are paid annually and used to maintain a safe and healthy environment for residents, dog owners and their pets. We do not profit from dog fees.

The fees structure is designed to reward good dog ownership. You can reduce your fees by neutering or spaying your dog.

Registering your dog pays for:

• enforcing the Dog Control Act and bylaws 
• education programmes and campaigns for schools and community or business groups
• dog management, including law enforcement, patrols and attending to complaints and incidents
• administering the animal management offices and kennels
• administering our dog management programme.

Fees are GST inclusive.

An infringement of $300 is payable if you are found to have an unregistered dog.

Recently moved here? You must register your dog with Whangarei District Council and advise the other council. Failure to advise Council of your change of address within 14 days may result in a fine.

Animal fees

The New Zealand government requires us to keep a database of dogs registered in the Whangārei district.

Please let us know if your dog's circumstances change.

 Information kept on the register includes:

• name, address and date of birth of the owner of the dog (allows for you to be distinguished from someone with the same name)
• address where the dog is kept
• description of the dog e.g. breed, colour, distinguishing markings
• the age and sex of the dog (including whether the dog is neutered or not)
• whether the dog is classified as a dangerous or menacing dog
• description of any tattoo or microchip transponder that provides other permanent identification on the dog.

If you move to another council's area, notify us and the other council in writing, within 14 days, please provide:

• your new address
• the registration number of the tag or disc issued for the dog.

A fine of $100 applies if you fail to update your address details.

• are classified as a dangerous or menacing dog
• are registered for the first time on or after 1 July 2006
• are impounded for a second occasion
• are unregistered and are impounded.

Working farm dogs are exempt from microchipping.

Failure to microchip a dog could result in an infringement notice, possible prosecution and a $300 fine.

Dog registration and chipping are two separate processes - you must register your dog every year but microchipping needs to be done only once.