Dog registration

If you have a new dog, or any registration details have changed, please complete the details on the Dog Registration Application Form and send the completed form to any Council office or email it to dogcontrol@tasman.govt.nz.

You can still pay online. Once you receive your dog’s registration tag, your dog needs to wear this at all times. Collars may also be purchased at all Council offices.

• Dog Registration Application Form (pdf, 82 KB)
• dogcontrol@tasman.govt.nz.
• Once the payment is processed, the tags will be posted to you.

Renewals

If your details and your dog's details are the same as those provided on the Registration Application Form you have received, then you can pay by credit card or internet banking.

Make a payment

Annual dog registration

A dog registration form is mailed to all owners of previously registered dogs at the beginning of June each year. If you do not receive a form, email Dog Control.

Owning more than two dogs

A Resource Consent is required in order to keep three or more dogs on a Residential Zoned property.

A Kennel Licence to keep three or more non-working dogs applies to properties under 1 hectare in non-residential zones. For properties over 1 hectare, a Kennel Licence is required for six or more non-working dogs.

• Dog Registration: Application for Permit for 3 or More Dogs (pdf, 56 KB)
• Dog Registration: Application for Permit for 6 or More Dogs (pdf, 56 KB)

For more information, contact any Council office or email Dog Control.

Annual registration fees are due by 30 June each year. Fees not paid by 31 July incur a 50% penalty fee.

Credit card

• Make a payment
• Please provide your owner number (top right of the form).
• Once the payment is processed, the tags will be posted to you.

Internet banking

Once the payment is processed, the tags will be posted to you. Please use the following details with your payment:

If you or your dog change address, or if your dog changes ownership, you need to advise Council in writing within 14 days. It is an offence, which carries a fine, if you do not notify these changes within 14 days. All other changes of details also need to be notified in writing.

• Dog Registration Update Details Form (pdf, 53 KB) 

A resource consent is required in order to keep three or more dogs on a residential zoned property.

A kennel licence to keep three or more non-working dogs applies to properties under 1 hectare in non-residential zones. For properties over 1 hectare, a kennel licence is required for six or more non-working dogs.

• Dog Registration: Application for Permit for 3 or More Dogs (pdf, 56 KB)
• Dog Registration: Application for Permit for 6 or More Dogs (pdf, 56 KB)

For more information, contact any Council office or email Dog Control.

Late registration

Dog registrations that remain unpaid at 1 August will incur a 50% penalty fee.  Late registrations create additional administrative costs in reminders and postage as well as staff time. The implementation of a penalty encourages dog owners to register on time. 

Failing to register your dog

Not registering your dog is an offence against the Dog Control Act 1996. If you do not register your dog an infringement notice may be issued, or your dog may be seized and impounded, or you as the owner may be prosecuted. Fees are incurred if an unregistered dog is seized, sustenance fees apply and your dog must be registered and microchipped prior to its release.

Late penalty fee waiver request

You can request a waiver for the late registration penalty fee. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Use the form below.

• Dog Registration Penalty Waiver Form (pdf, 86 KB)

If your dog dies during the registration year, you are able to receive a refund of part of the registration fee, following a request made in writing. This is based on the number of complete months remaining in the registration year at the time of the written application. A refund application form is available below.

Registration tags are not transferable between dogs, and it is an offence to do so.

Refunds are not available if your dog changes ownership or you sign your dog over to an Animal Centre (e.g. SPCA).

• Dog Registration Refund Application Form (pdf, 50 KB)

Since 1 July 2006 all new puppies and dogs being registered for the first time in New Zealand must be microchipped within two months of when they are registered. Microchipping has proved very successful in tracing owners of lost dogs all around the country, providing Council has been given the microchip number to add to the National Dog Database.

Does my dog need to be microchipped?

• Farm dogs used solely or principally for herding and driving stock are the only dogs exempt from microchipping.
• Dogs classified as dangerous or menacing from 1 July 2006 onwards must be microchipped within two months of being classified.
• Any dog impounded on a second occasion must be microchipped before its release.
• Any unregistered dog that has been impounded must be microchipped before its release.
• Failure to microchip your dog if it falls into one of the microchipping categories could result in prosecution and a $3,000 fine.

Other microchipping information

Microchipping services are provided by Nelson SPCA and local vets and Control Services Nelson Ltd. A signed verification certificate is given to the dog owner which must be brought to Council as soon as possible so that our records and the National Dog Database can be updated.

Free dog microchipping