7 June 2012

Early Bird Discount for Dog Owners

Waikato district dog owners can save $20 on their registration fee if they register their dog during June or July.

All dogs in the Waikato district, from three months of age, must be registered by 1 August, but if you register your dog early savings can be made.

“Dogs must be registered every year, as registration only lasts from 1 July to 30 June the following year,” said Waikato District Council, regulatory general manager, Nath Pritchard.

“Next week renewal notices are being sent to remind owners to register their dog, as failure to do so can result in your dog being seized from your property, having to pay a $300 infringement fine or prosecution. So don’t let this happen, get in early and register your dog,” he said.

There is more good news for Waikato district dog owners as registration fees have been substantially reduced, making them the cheapest fees in the Waikato, Hamilton and Auckland area.

If you are a new dog owner or already have approved status the dog registration fee has gone down from $137 to $85 (or $65 if you pay before 1 August).

If you have general owner status the fee goes down from $137 to $110 (or $90 with the discount). Selected or farm dog owners, see the fee significantly reduced from $137 to $58 (or $38 with the discount).

“The council wants residents to enjoy the benefits of dog ownership while minimising danger, distress and nuisance to the public. We understand the financial pressure our communities are under and we hope the lower fees will encourage people to be responsible owners and register their dogs.

“This year we have also decided that all new dog owners are ‘approved’ unless they prove otherwise within a 12-month period. This means new owners have the benefit of low fees straight away, as opposed to having to wait two years before qualifying for good behaviour discounts as was previously the case,” Mr Prichard said.

To be an approved dog owner you must not have any of these offences marked against you: impounded dog, registered complaint, prosecution, infringement fine, non-notification of changes to ownership details and repeated non-payment of registration fee.

ENDS

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