Wellington City Council is transitioning to a paperless system for the 2023/24 registration period, aiming to enhance the ease, speed, and efficiency of dog registration. With an average of 200 new dog registrations being handled monthly, this change aims to simplify the process for pet owners.
In place of traditional printed forms, dog owners now have the convenience of registering or re-registering their pets online, using user-friendly digital forms. By eliminating the need for physical paperwork, the initiative offers a more accessible way to complete the registration process. The dog registration fee is for one year, starting 1 July. Owners will receive their dog tags within 3 weeks.
Depending on the situation, owners will need to meet several requirements as well as pay a fee for registration. This includes a microchip number. According to Section 36A of the Dog Control Act 1996, all dogs, excluding working dogs, must be microchipped within two months of their initial registration. It is mandatory to provide the microchip number for the pet, but owners can also provide it at a later time. For working dogs, an organisation name and GST number are required. When registering imported dogs for the first time, it is necessary to submit a customs clearance certificate. These certificates are issued by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Owners can also provide specific documents to receive discounts. An adoption certificate is required for a discount for dogs adopted from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Incorporated (SPCA) New Zealand, Helping You Help Animals (HUHA), or Ellie’s Canine Rescue and Rehome. Furthermore, to be eligible for a desexing discount, owners must provide a certificate or documentation from their veterinarian.
According to the Wellington City Council, the new system will save a lot of time and paper. It builds upon the sustainable introduction of reusable metal One Tags in 2021. Since its inception, an estimated 50,000 plastic tags have been prevented from being produced in Wellington, contributing to environmental conservation efforts.
With nearly 16,000 dogs in the area, going digital will streamline the process for the Council’s Public Health Team. As per the Dog Control Act 1996, it is mandatory for all dogs to be registered and for the associated fees to be paid by the time they are 3 months old. If an owner is new to the city, transferring registration from another council is free of charge.
In New Zealand, animal tagging is an essential part of the country’s identification and traceability systems. Apart from companion animals, various livestock such as cattle, sheep, and deer, must be tagged for identification and management purposes. Under the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme, the Person in Charge of Animals (PICA) must inform the government by 31 July each year of how many animals are on their property. NAIT maintains a national database of cattle and deer movements, which enables authorities to respond quickly to biosecurity threats.
Officials have said that good NAIT records enable the swift identification and containment of infections, minimising the risk of diseases spreading. Conversely, inadequate or poorly maintained records can hinder the process, leading to delays and increased exposure of other farmers’ cattle to potential infections.
