Your responsibilities | Hamilton City Council

Pro-rata registrations

Puppies

If you are registering your puppy from 1 August onwards, the amount you pay will depend on your pet’s age. You pay for the portion of the year from when your puppy turns three months old.

For example, if your puppy is three months old in November, you’ll pay the November fee even if you are registering your dog in December or January.

Imported dogs

For imported dogs of any age arriving in New Zealand after 1 August, owners pay the pro-rata fee for the month of their arrival. For example, if your dog arrives in February, you’ll pay the February pro-rata fee when you register them for the first time.

All other dogs

If your dog is older than three months on 1 August (and has not been imported to New Zealand) and you are registering it for the first time, you’ll pay the full year registration fee.

Guide dogs, companion dogs, and hearing dogs

You still need to register your dog but we won’t charge you registration fees.

Dogs registered with a different council for the current registration year

If your dog has been registered for the current registration year starting 1st July until 30th June the following year and you move into Hamilton City, you will still need to register your dog with our council to receive a free Hamilton City Council Registration tag. You will need to provide the following information:

Name of the Council you have transferred from
Registration Tag number from said Council

Fees

Dog registration fees up to 30 June
Category 1	$85.00
Category 2	$155.00

Dog registration fees after 30 June
Category 1	$100.00
Category 2	$170.00

50% Penalty - Applies to registrations after 31 July
Category 1	$150.00
Category 2	$255.00

Frequently asked questions

What are the penalties for unregistered dogs?

Owners of unregistered dogs face an infringement fee of $300 as well as the registration fee. The dog can also be impounded, and the owner prosecuted. If you receive an infringement, details of how and where to pay are on the infringement notice.

How can I get a refund?

If your dog dies and you’ve paid for this year's registration, you can request a partial refund.

The amount of refund depends on how soon you can update us that your dog has died. We can either:

calculate the refund on a pro-rata basis from the date given on your dog’s death or crematorium certificate
refund you the remaining months left in the registration year from the date we receive the form below.

Please attach a deposit slip or screenshot of your bank account number so we can credit the refund directly to your account.
But first, please fill in the form below:

Notification of Deceased Dog Form

Desex your dog

Desexing (neutering or spaying) your dog benefits dog owners and the wider Hamilton community as it usually reduces:

aggression
unwanted pregnancies
disease

Your local vet will desex your dog, and we’ll need to see the certificate. You can send your certificate to our team below.

Microchip your dog

Microchipping makes sure dogs can be quickly identified if they go missing, are stolen, or get injured. All dogs registered for the first time need to be microchipped within two months of their registration.

Where can I get my dog microchipped?

We can microchip your dog at our Animal Education and Control office. You can also get your dog microchipped at a vet clinic or the SPCA.

Once your dog has been microchipped, we’ll need to see the certificate. You can send your certificate to our team below.

Submit your certificate

In person

Drop your certificate off to:

Our main Council building, 260 Anglesea Street between 7:45am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Animal Education and Control, 217 Ellis Street, between 12.30pm to 4.30pm, seven days a week (excluding public holidays).