Dog registration and micro-chipping
The Dog Control Act 1996 states every dog must be registered by the time it is three months of age. It is then the owner’s responsibility to ensure the registration is renewed every year by 1 July.
The Christchurch City Council is required by law to keep a register of all dogs in the area. To ensure this is kept up to date, a reminder notice is sent out in May and June to all registered dog owners to renew their registration.
If any unregistered dog is impounded, it must then be micro-chipped. Any registered dogs impounded more than once are also required to be micro-chipped.
How to register your dog
Either:
- Download a form below and post to:
Animal Control
Inspections and Enforcement Unit
Christchurch City Council
PO Box 24284
Eastgate
Christchurch 8642
- Drop in to any Council service centre
- Phone (03) 941 8666 and request a form.
- Update your registration details online.
Forms and fees
- Dog registration application form [PDF 616KB] - use this form for new registrations or renewals.
- Application for two or more dogs licence [PDF 47KB]
- Dog registration update form [PDF 28KB] - use this form if you change address, buy or sell a previously registered dog, or in the case of the death of a dog.
- Responsible Dog Owner Status application form [PDF 613KB] - holders of this status may be rewarded through cheaper fees for prompt registration. You can also apply for this status online.
- Dog registration fee schedule 2009-10 [PDF 31.4KB]
How to microchip your dog
Dogs registered for the first time after 1 July 2006 are required by law to be micro-chipped (livestock working farm dogs are exempt). We strongly recommend that you microchip your dog anyway to ensure it is easily identified and quickly returned to you if lost.
Your veterinarian can microchip your dog for a small fee.
Additionally, the animal shelter also can microchip your dog, between 11am–12 noon on Fridays. It is free of charge for any dog required by law to be microchipped; for all other dogs there is a small fee.
- Dog registration fee schedule 2009-10 [PDF 31.4KB]
Read more about the animal shelter's microchipping service [PDF 31KB].
Authorising Unit: Inspections and Enforcement
Last reviewed: Monday, September 14, 2009
Next review: Sunday, March 14, 2010
