On this page you’ll find information for:
You must renew your dog registration by the end of July each year. There’s a penalty of 50% of the registration fee, which will apply if unpaid by the end of July.
We’ll send you a renewal notice in the mail in mid-June to remind you to renew your registration. If you’ve moved, please let us know so that your notice goes to the correct address.
By law, your dog must be microchipped. Details of the microchip must be supplied to council 2 months after the date of initial first registration. Find out how to Microchip your dog.
You can have your dog desexed (neutered) in return for a donation. This service is funded by Mana Community Grants Foundation and provided by CareVets Porirua, find out more
We're big fans of the Reduced Registration Fee Category (formerly Responsible Dog Owner status), who pay lower registration fees for their kuri.
Responsible Dog Owner has recently had a name change, it's now called Reduced Registration Fee Category.
For more information visit the Reduced Registration Fee Category page
Whether you are re-homing a rescued dog, or providing a playmate for the four-legged friends you already own, sometimes it might be necessary for you to have more than two dogs on your property.
There's some paperwork and a fee you need to pay to make this a reality. If you’re planning to build new accommodation for your dogs, you may also need to get resource consent and/or a building consent before you start the work.
There is a fee of $34.00 for a three plus permit (formally dispensation licence) for owning more than two dogs and a property inspection fee of $134.00.
You also need to fill in one of our easy to complete application forms.
You can provide us with the form in a variety of ways:
👉 Download the application forms here
A site inspection is needed before we can grant a dispensation licence. Our Animal Control Officer will make a time during normal working hours to inspect your property to assess whether it’s suitable for more than two dogs. The inspection will check the type and suitability of the dog accommodation, the exercise space available and hygiene standards.
Please note, properties that are zoned rural are exempt from this dispensation requirement.
Your three plus permit (formally dispensation licence) may be cancelled if:
There is a fee of $34.00 for a three plus permit (formally dispensation licence) for owning more than two dogs. Please note there is also a property inspection fee of $134.00.
If you no longer have a kurī, get in touch with us to cancel your dog registration. Click below to action
Both the previous owner and the new owner must tell us about any change of ownership of a dog within 14 days. You also need to tell us the dog’s new address. Phone our Customer Services Centre on (04) 237 5089 or email enquiries@poriruacity.govt.nz.
We know how sad it is when a much-loved dog passes away and the last thing on your mind will be admin. But please remember to let us know so we can update our records. Owners are legally obliged to notify councils of any change in circumstances, and we’d hate you to receive an automatically generated fine for non-registration at a time when you’re grieving.
The same applies if you sell a dog or your address has changed.
If your dog has died or been put down, you must show us a death certificate from a vet and let us know as soon as you can. Phone our Customer Services Centre on (04) 237 5089.
If your dog has been destroyed under a court order, you must show us a certificate from a vet, Animal Control Officer or Ranger to confirm that the dog has been destroyed.
You may be eligible to have part of your registration fee refunded when your dog dies or is put down. You can apply for the refund before the start of the 1 July registration period.
To claim your refund you will need to provide us with two documents:
There are a number of ways you can get those documents to us:
If you get a dog fine, you have 28 days to pay the fine. Part payments aren't accepted. To pay a fine you can:
Pay in person at our Customer Services Centre on the Ground Floor of the Contact Centre, 16 Cobham Court, Porirua, by cash or Eftpos.
Westpac Porirua Branch - 03 0547 0240008 001 (or suffix 01)
Payer Particulars: FINES Payer
Code: Your infringement number (D005051)
Person who fine was issued to: Name
If you would like us to review your dog fine, you can complete the Dog Infringement Explanation Form on or before the last day for payment, which is 56 days from the date the fine was issued, and either:
For privacy reasons, a fine can only be queried by the registered dog owner. If your explanation is accepted, the fine will be waived. If it's declined, you will be advised in writing and will be required to pay the fine.
👉 Download the Dog Infringement Explanation Form (50.7KB Word)
If you don't pay on time, you'll receive a reminder notice. If no payment is received after a further 28 days, the overdue fine will be lodged with the Ministry of Justice for follow up action.
Dogs are welcome in most of Porirua's walkways and parks provided they are on a leash - just remember that summer restrictions apply. Find out more
If a dog is barking and causing a nuisance, you can report it to us 24 hours a day by phoning (04) 237 5089. We'll log your call and investigate promptly. Find out more about why dogs bark.
Council considers all reports of dog attacks seriously and when this involves a person we will respond as soon as possible. Click here to find out how to report an attack or harassment.
If your dog is picked up by Animal Control and it’s microchipped, we will contact you. If it’s impounded, you’ll need to pay any impounding, microchipping and registration fees before it can be released. Find out more about fees and pound opening hours.
We offer a service to put down (euthanise) a dog if it’s old, sick or aggressive. Contact us on phone (04) 237 5089 to arrange an appointment to discuss this.
There’s a fee of $65.00 for this service.
