Chance for free dog rego
14 June 2016
Waipa dog owners who register their animals before the end of this month may never have to pay registration fees again.
Dog registrations must now be paid by June 30. This lines up Waipa District Council with most other councils around New Zealand, making it easier for dog owners who move.
It means farmers can also register and update their farm dog details before the traditional 'moving day' on June 1.
To highlight the change and encourage registrations, all dogs registered by the end of June 2016 will automatically go into a draw to win free registration for the rest of the dog's life (if it remains in Waipa). So far, around 26 per cent of the 7,669 known dogs in the district have been registered.
By law, all dogs in New Zealand must be registered by three months of age. In Waipa, the fee to register urban-based dogs is $89, reduced to $64 if dogs are neutered and kept in a fenced section. Rural dogs cost $50 each to register. Fees can be paid online at www.waipadc. govt.nz/dogs and can be refunded if the dog dies or leaves New Zealand.
All dogs being registered for the first time after July 1 2006 (with the exception of dogs classified a working dogs) must also be micro-chipped.
A report to Waipa District Council last year said the number of dogs in the district was increasing but the number of dog-related complaints had dropped. The five most popular dog breeds in Waipa are Labrador, fox terrier, huntaway, border collie and Jack Russell.
Media enquiries, contact Jeanette Tyrrell (on behalf of Council) 027 5077 599.