Dog Registrations

The Dog Control Act 1996 requires all dogs to be registered if three months of age or older. All dogs must be registered by 30 June each year.

If your dog is impounded after 30 June and you have not made an application to register your dog, it will be deemed to be unregistered. This means you will be charged the applicable unregistered dog impounding fee.

Please note that a late payment penalty fee applies if your dog has not been registered on or before 31 July each year. Dogs remaining unregistered after 31 July may be issued with an Infringement fine of $300 and/or be seized and impounded. In some circumstances an owner of an unregistered dog may be prosecuted.

Reduced Fee - Selected Owner Policy

The Council offers a reduced fee to dog owners that prove (upon inspection of the property) that they are responsible owners and that they can provide their dog with a securely fenced area, shelter, food, water, exercise and the care that it needs.

To be considered as a Selected Owner, you must apply before 31 March each year to qualify for a discount for the next year.

Your dog must be registered for at least one year before you complete the application form, then your dog(s) and property undergo a full inspection by one of Council's Animal Control Officers.

Rural/plains dog owners, will normally get the reduced SOP fee, but if you fail to pay your dog's registration before the beginning of August, the fee will be increased to the full price and will lose this status for the following two years.

If you fail to pay your dog fees on time or complaints are proven against your dog, the SOP status will be removed and can not be renewed for the following two years.

Please note a fee of $120 inclusive of GST must be paid at the time the application is lodged.

• Selected Owner Policy Application form
  (PDF 109 KB)

More Than Two Dogs

Owners of more than two dogs on any urban property in the Hastings district, must apply for a permit with the Animal Control section at the Council. There are a number of conditions when having more than two dogs on an urban property, these are outlined in the application form below.

There is a fee of $150 when an application is lodged for the permit.

• Application for Permit to Keep More Than Two Dogs
  (PDF 112 KB)

Refund

Where a fee for the registration has been paid and the dog dies during that registration year, Council will refund a portion of the fees upon written request. The refund will be calculated on the months left to run in the registration year after receipt of the application for a refund.

Council will not refund registration in respect of a dog that has been lost, stolen, changed owner or districts (registration remains with the dog across districts in NZ).

• Dog Registration Refund Application Form
  (PDF 112 KB)