It’s that time of year again – time to renew Izzy’s registration.
Dog registration is a legal requirement throughout New Zealand and dogs must be registered before they reach the age of 3 months.
Dog registration fees vary widely across different city and district councils but most offer discounts for spaying/neutering and also holding responsible dog owner status. In my case, I have held responsible dog owner status for years and this qualifies me for the lowest rate possible.
My $57 fee goes towards the support of services like impounding lost dogs until they can be re-united with their families (hopefully) and officers responding to complaints about dog bites or attacks.
Unfortunately, there’s a portion of our community who don’t register their dogs and so they are not paying their fair share for services. I know that some people will say that they can’t afford to pay the fees; but I have to ask – if you can’t pay your registration fee how can you afford to care for your dog?
I support efforts to make people better dog guardians. It starts with an understanding that having a dog is a privilege and not a right. If you are going to be a good dog owner, then pay your fair share to manage dogs in your community.
Below is the schedule of dog registration fees for 2017/2018 in the Christchurch City Council area:
| Item | Fee |
| Dogs classified as dangerous | |
| If paid on or before 31 July | $137.00 |
| If paid on or after 1 August | $169.00 |
| Un-neutered dogs (other than Responsible Dog Owner status) | |
| If paid on or before 31 July | $91.00 |
| If paid on or after 1 August | $124.00 |
| Spayed/neutered dogs (other than Responsible Dog Owner status) | |
| If paid on or before 31 July | $80.00 |
| If paid on or after 1 August | $112.00 |
| Owner granted Responsible Dog Owner status | |
| First dog | |
| If paid on or before 30 June | $57.00 |
| If paid between 1 July and 31 July | $80.00 |
| If paid on or after 1 August | $112.00 |
| Second and subsequent dogs | |
| If paid on or before 30 June | $39.00 |
| If paid between 1 July and 31 July | $80.00 |
| If paid on or after 1 August | $112.00 |
| Working / Rural dogs | |
| First dog | |
| If paid on or before 31 July | $27.00 |
| If paid on or after 1 August | $39.00 |
| Second and subsequent dogs | |
| If paid on or before 31 July | $22.00 |
| If paid on or after 1 August | $32.00 |
| Disability Assist dogs | NIL |
| More Than Two Dogs licence (other than rural zoning and Banks Peninsula wards) | |
| Licence for 3 dogs | $70.00 |
| Re-inspection fee – same property | $32.00 |
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand
DoggyMom.com 