Time to re-register your canine pal

July 5, 2007

It’s time to re-register your canine friends and if you pay before July 31 you will also receive a prompt payment discount of 10 per cent or more.

North Shore City Council’s environmental programmes group manager, Rosemary Hagg, says every dog over the age of three months must be registered every year.

“Registration fees allow the council to offer a 24/7 dog control service, free obedience training, a free responsible dog owner test, free education for dog owners and a free hotline to the council and animal control.

“It makes sense to register your dog as owners of unregistered dogs face fines of $300 or more, in addition to the registration fee for the current year,” she says.

The registration fee structure is based on four categories which are ultimately geared towards responsible dog ownership. A prompt payment discount is offered in each fee category and this varies from 10 to 20 per cent depending on the category.

Dog registration must be paid in full.

Renewal notices were sent out to all owners of registered dogs late last month. If your dog was registered prior to the new registration year (starting on July 1), you can also re-register online at www.northshorecity.govt.nz (key word: dog licence).

Registration forms are also available by calling North Shore City Actionline on 486 8600.

There is no certainty whether the council can continue to use Waitakere City Council’s Henderson pound so in order to fulfil requirements under the Dog Control Act 1996 there is there is a need for the city to establish its own purpose built animal shelter.

The animal shelter facility will be funded partially by an increase in dog registration fees of $5 per dog instead of asking ratepayers to pay this amount.

Dog registration fees last increased in July 2003.

ENDS

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