Dog registrations are due… make your pooch fetching in blue
Blue is the new yellow! Dog registration fees are now due in the Western Bay, with the colour of tags switching over from yellow to blue for the 2024/25 year.
Dog owners can register their kuri either online, or in person, at our Barkes Corner office or at one of our Library and Service Centres.
And for the first time, old dog tags can be recycled – just drop them in to us and we will send them to a company in Auckland where they will be repurposed into new products.
This year sees an increase in fees of $10 for domestic dogs that are desexed ($90), and $20 for those that have not been desexed ($120), while fees for stock working dogs have increased by $12 ($72).
“Dog registration fees go towards essential services that ensure the safety and well-being of both dogs and people in our community,” says Peter Hrstich, Council’s Team Leader Animal Services.
“We have lots of wonderful dog owners in the District and are committed to ensuring we provide them with the best possible service. Unfortunately, Council, like many businesses, has experienced increased costs to deliver our service and we are having to pass on some of those costs to dog owners in order to continue to provide the same level of service.”
Dog registration fees support educational programs that teach children, businesses, and other groups how to stay safe around dogs, and help us to respond to complaints, such as roaming, barking and aggressive dogs.
The funds collected also contribute towards our dog shelters in Te Puke and Katikati, ensuring dogs are kept safe and healthy until they are either reunited with their owners or find a new home.
And they help fund fun community events, like the Wander Dogs walking series and Doggy Day Out, where dog owners and their kuri can get together and celebrate responsible dog ownership.
“We appreciate the ongoing support from our community in ensuring that our four-legged friends are well cared for and that our public spaces remain safe and enjoyable for everyone,” says Peter.
“By registering your dog, you are contributing to a range of valuable services that benefit the District as a whole.”
All dogs are required to be registered before they are three months of age, and each dog must be registered at the address where they spend most of their time.
If you are a new dog owner, or haven't registered with Western Bay before, you can create an account online.
Further information on fees and how they apply to different dogs (de-sexed, unneutered, dangerous, working and assistance dogs etc.) is available on Council’s website.
For any queries, please contact Council’s customer services team on 0800 926 732 or email info@westernbay.govt.nz.
