Dogs Online Registration
Under the Dog Control Act 1996, all dogs over three months must be registered and renewed each year by 30 June.
Register your dog online
Dogs Online is the Rotorua Lakes Council website for new dog registrations, renewals, and for updating dog owner or dog details. It's the most efficient way to register your dog and provides all dog registration related services.
Other ways to register
You can also renew your dog registration by internet banking, but for new dog registration you will need to use the Dogs Online portal.
You can also call or visit our Customer Centre for help with your new or renewed dog registration.
Either call us on 07 348 4199 or visit us at 1061 Haupapa Street (between 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday) and we can give you a hand. For renewal payments, please have your registration form ready before coming into Council's Civic Centre.
How to use Dogs Online for dog registration
When you use Dogs Online to register (or renew) your dog, you will need your Owner ID number and/or invoice. Your new discs or tags will be sent out to you within 10 days of us receiving your payment.
Register a new dog
When you register your new dog online with us for the first time, we will notify you of your Owner ID number, usually within 24hrs. Once you have this information you will be able to go to Dogs Online and pay for your new dog registration.
Your tag or discs will be posted out to you within 10 working days of receipt of payment.
- Go to Dogs Online
- Select New Dog Registration
- Fill out all required fields for owner details and click continue.
- Fill out all required fields for dog details and click continue.
- Review owner and dog details and complete the declaration.
- Your registration request will be processed. Once complete, you’ll receive an email with your owner number which will allow you to log back in and pay for the registration.
- Once your payment has been processed, your disc/tag and receipt will be posted to your address.
Renew a dog registration
When it's time to re-register your dog, we will post out your invoice and you can then renew your annual dog registration online.
If you own more than one dog, you can pay their registration fees at one time.
- Go to Dogs Online
- Under Access Registered Dog Details fill out two of the three fields listed below and click Submit
Your owner number is on your invoice. Call us on 07 348 4199 if you don't have this.- Dog Owner No. (this is found on your annual renewal invoice)
- Dog Owner Date-of-birth (this is shown on the annual renewal invoice)
- Dog Tag No. (this will be the tag number for each registered dog/s you own)
- You will see your owner details. Scroll down and select Dog - Registration Renewal from the checklist.
- Check dog details and annual registration fee are correct.
- Click Renew and pay.
- Select either a disc or tag.
- Once your payment has been processed, your disc/tag and receipt will be posted to your address.
Other available online dog services
You can use Dogs Online to tell us:
- A dog is no longer in possession (e.g. lost, stolen)
- Change of dog's address or ownership
- Change of dog ownership
- When a dog has died
- Change of owner contact or dog details
- Requesting replacement dog tag.
Before accessing online dog services, you will need any two of the three details listed below.
Your owner number is on your invoice. Call us on 07 348 4199 if you don't have this.
- Dog Owner No. (this is found on your annual renewal invoice)
- Dog Owner Date-of-birth (this is shown on the annual renewal invoice)
- Dog Tag No. (this will be the tag number for each registered dog/s you own
Under Access Registered Dog Details fill out two of the three fields listed below and click Submit.
2024/2025 registration fees
Dog registration | 2023/2024 fee (last year’s fee) | Increase | 2024/2025 fee (this year’s fee) |
Urban domiciled dog | $115.50 | 5% | $121.28 |
Rural domiciled dog | $82.95 | 5% | $87.10 |
Selected dog owner status dog | $82.95 | 5% | $87.10 |
Rebate for de-sexed dog | -$10.50 | 5% | -$11.03 |
Rebate for de-sexed dog super annuitant | -$10.50 | 5% | -$11.03 |
Penalty for late payment – urban dog | $57.75 | 5% | $60.64 |
Penalty for late payment – rural dog | $41.50 | 5% | $43.58 |
Replacement tag | $10.50 | 5% | $11.03 |
Microchip Implant | $31.50 | 5% | $33.08 |
Dog registration fees help to pay for most of our animal services activities, including:
- Providing and maintaining facilities (the pound) for the care, welfare and return of lost, stray, impounded or seized dogs
- Investigation, monitoring and resolution of dog issues such as nuisance (barking & roaming), aggressive and dangerous dogs (rushings & attacks)
- Monitoring and enforcement of the dog control act, bylaws and policy
- Providing doggie doo bags (collect these from the Customer Centre counter)
- Friendly and professional advice to dog owners and residents, also providing bark collars for hire
- Providing dog safety education
- Patrolling public areas, reserves, parks, sportsfields and signage in public places including our lakes, all aimed at public education, safety and enforcement action
- Stock control on roads.
Get more help with dog registrations
How to use internet banking to renew a dog registration
- Set up Rotorua Lakes Council as a bill payee with your bank
- Log in to your online banking
- Select your Bill Payment function ("pay someone" or "make a payment")
- Select the option to make sure you are searching for a company
- Search for Rotorua Lakes Council (dog registration), as your Bill Payee (you do not need the bank account number)
- Follow the prompts
- Enter the following details from your invoice:
- Particulars - dog owner surname and initials
- Code - dog owner ID
- Reference - write 'disc' or 'tag' to let us know which option you would like.
Note: For multiple dogs, it is essential that a separate payment is set up for each dog.
Am I eligible for a rebate on my dog registration fee?
You may be eligible to claim the following rebates:
- Sterilisation rebate $10.00 - you must produce a certificate from a veterinarian showing that your dog is spayed or neutered
- Pensioner rebate $10.00 - This rebate will be automatically applied based on the registered dog owners DOB ie: if 65+, will receive the $10 rebate per dog. The owner is still required to fully complete the annual re-registration form. The dog registration period covers 1 June - 30 July each year. If you happen to turn 65 during the dog registration year, you will receive the pensioner rebate the following year.
I've moved to another part of the country - what do I do?
Your dog's registration is valid nationwide. If you register your dog in one place and visit another, your dog's registration remains in force. But if you and your dog live in a new area for 1 month or more, you must:
- Advise the council where you registered your dog that you have moved
- Write to the council in your new area to let them know that you and your dog are living in the district. You need to do this within 6 weeks, in writing.
Your new district council will add your dog to their register and give you a local registration tag or disc free of charge.
Please advise Rotorua Lakes Council regarding the change via Dogs Online.
I need to change the ownership of a dog
When the ownership of a dog is changed the registration remains in force, but the previous owner and the new owner must let their district councils know what has happened. You need to advise your council, in writing, within 14 days. Failure to do this can result in a fine of up to $500.00. You can also advise the council about a change in dog ownership by going to the Dogs Online section on this site.
Do not:
- Remove a collar bearing a registration tag or disc from a dog.
- Attach to any dog a tag or disc that has been issued to another dog.
- Make a false application when registering a dog.
- Make a counterfeit disc or tag or have in your possession a tag or disc resembling a current registration tag.
- Offences relating to dog registration can lead to fines of up to $3000.00.
Please advise Rotorua Lakes Council regarding the change via Dogs Online.
What do I need to do if my dog dies?
If your dog dies and you have paid for current registration, you can make a written request for a refund or fill out the Change of Dog Status Form below. The Council will give you whatever remaining portion of the yearly rate remains after notification. You must also return the tag and/or provide proof from your vet.
Please advise Rotorua Lakes Council regarding the change via Dogs Online.
Lost or broken tag replacements
Owners are liable for replacement tags. The cost of a replacement tag is is shown in our fees schedule above. You can request a replacement dog tag via Dogs Online.