Register your best friend before 1 July

Buddy, Charlie or something a little more unique, it's time to make sure they are registered.

Dog registrations for Invercargill City Council’s canine residents are due 1 July.

Council Group Manager Consenting and Environment Jonathan Shaw said dog registration played an important role in helping keep dogs, their owners and the wider community safe.

They allow Council to quickly identify and reunite lost dogs with their owners, respond to dog-related incidents and complaints, and monitor dog populations across the district.

“Most dog owners will never need our Animal Care Facility or a 24-hour callout service, and that's exactly the point. Registration fees ensure those services are there when they're needed, while also funding the everyday work that helps prevent problems before they occur. It's a shared investment in the wellbeing of dogs, their owners and the wider community,” Shaw said.

The district is home to approximately 9,800 registered dogs living in about 7,000 households. That means more than a third of Invercargill households have a registered dog.

Registration also helps reunite lost pets with their families. Around 260 dogs were successfully returned to their owners in the past year.

"When a registered dog is found wandering, we can quickly identify its owner and get it home much faster. Keeping your registration and contact details up to date makes a real difference," Shaw said.

Dog registration is a legal requirement under the Dog Control Act. New dogs must be registered by the time they are 3 months old.

As well as registering their dog each year, owners are responsible for ensuring their dog is securely contained on their property, does not roam or intimidate others, and that visitors can safely access their front door.

"Our ideal dog owner is someone we only hear from once a year when they are updating their registration."

You can register or re-register your dog at icc.govt.nz/dogs