Register your dog

If your dog is over the age of three months it must be registered.  

You can register your dog or transfer a dog registration from another council online, by mail or in person. You must be the person who is in charge of the dog, and be over the age of 16.

Desexing certificate or documentation

To qualify for the reduced De-sexed Pet fee (Class 3 & 17) you'll need to supply a desexing certificate or documentation from your vet. 

If your dog hasn't been desexed yet, you'll need to pay the full fee. Once your dog has been desexed and you've provided the information, you'll be able to pay the reduced fee for the following renewal year.

Microchipping your dog

The Dog Control Act requires all new dogs to be microchipped within two months of being registered with Council. Some exemptions apply for working dogs that are mainly used for driving or herding stock, find out more on our Dog Owners Information page.

Please let us know when your dog has been microchipped and provide a copy of your microchip certificate with your name and address (or owner and dog numbers if known) to dogs@horowhenua.govt.nz, or bring it into one of our Council Offices.

Stock (farm) dog discount

You might be entitled to a discount of $10 per dog if you own four or more stock dogs. If you already own three or more stock dogs, please contact Council on 06 366 0999 or email us at dogs@horowhenua.govt.nz to discuss your dog registration rather than using our online registration form.

Applying for Superannuitant Owner class or Selected Owner status

If you want to apply for Superannuitant Owner class you'll need to register your dog in person. You'll also need to bring in your Gold Card to confirm your superannuitant eligibility and a copy of your dog's desexing certificate or documentation.

If you want to become a Selected Owner you'll need to visit us in person to go through this process.  If you already have Selected Owner status and are wanting to register a new dog, you'll also need to visit us in person as our online form currently doesn't support this option. Applications for Selected Owner policy must be submitted with Council before 1 May to be eligible for the registration year beginning 1 July. Applications received after this date will be eligible for Selected Owner policy rates the following year.

Puppy fee calculator

Dogs under three months of age at the start of the registration year (1 July), or born after the start of the registration year, pay a reduced fee for their first year. You can use our puppy fee calculator to find out what the registration fee will be for your furbaby.

Click here to view form.

Fees and charges

Dog registration fees are for a period of one year, starting on 1 July.  Your fee may depend on when you're registering within the financial year of 1 July through to 30 June and your dog's details.

Dog registration fees and fee classes can be viewed on our Animal Control Fees & Charges page.

Penalties for unregistered dogs

If someone is caught with an unregistered dog there's an instant infringement fee issued, plus a penalty fee to register the dog. The owner of the dog has 28 day to pay the infringement. A reminder notice is then sent and a further 28 days is given. If no payment is made, the infringement is then sent to the Courts for collection, and it becomes a fine. A lodgement fee is added to the fine and the whole amount is then due to be paid to the Courts.

Online

Step 1.Have your dog information ready

Depending on your situation, you'll need:

  • an electronic copy of your dog's desexing certificate or confirmation from your vet (if applicable)
  • an electronic copy of your dog's microchipping certificate or confirmation of your dog's microchip number from your vet (if applicable)
  • your dog's importation details (if registering a dog for the first time in New Zealand that has been imported from overseas)
  • an electronic photo of your dog for identification purposes (optional).

Step 2.Apply and pay online

You'll need your payment information (credit card, debit card, or internet banking details for POLi).  Please allow 5-10 minutes to complete the form, if you have everything ready.

Register online

Step 3.Check your mail for the dog tag 

Once we’ve confirmed your registration and received full payment of fees, we’ll send out your dog tag. Please allow up to 5 (five) days for the tag to arrive.

By Mail

Step 1.Have your dog information ready

Depending on your situation, you'll need:

  • a copy of your dog's desexing certificate or confirmation from your vet (if applicable)
  • a copy of your dog's microchipping certificate or confirmation of your dog's microchip number from your vet (if applicable)
  • your dog's importation details (if registering a dog for the first time in New Zealand that has been imported from overseas)
  • a photo of your dog for identification purposes (optional)

Step 2.Download and complete the application form

Application to Register Dog(PDF, 122KB)

Step 3.Pay the registration fee

Payment can be made by internet banking, using the following details:

Name: Horowhenua District Council
Bank: BNZ 
Branch: Levin
Account Number: 02-0668-0070607-02
Reference Details: Code 'NEWDOG', Particulars 'Your dog's name' and Reference 'Your name'. 

Step 4.Mail your renewal to Council

Once you've completed your payment you'll need to post your application form to us so we know what dog(s) you're paying for and we can match this with your payment.

Renewal forms can be posted to Horowhenua District Council, Private Bag 4002, Levin 5542.

In Person

Step 1.Have your dog information ready

Depending on your situation, you'll need:

  • a copy of your dog's desexing certificate or confirmation from your vet (if applicable)
  • a copy of your dog's microchipping certificate or confirmation of your dog's microchip number from your vet (if applicable)
  • your dog's importation details (if registering a dog for the first time in New Zealand that has been imported from overseas)
  • a photo of your dog for identification purposes (optional)

Step 2.Download and complete the application form

Application to Register Dog(PDF, 122KB)

Step 3.Visit your nearest Council Office

Pop into your nearest Council office:

  • Levin (Main Office), 126 Oxford Street, Levin, open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and on Wednesdays 9.30am to 5pm (except public holidays).
  • Foxton Service Centre, 92 Main Street, Foxton, open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays).
  • Shannon Service Centre, Plimmer Terrace, Shannon, open 10am to 12 noon and 1pm to 5pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays).

You'll be able to pay for your dog's registration fee by cash or EFTPOS.