Now is a good time to make sure your dog's details are up to date ahead of registration time.

Christchurch City Council will be sending out registration emails at the end of June, with registration fees due by the end of July for all dog owners. 

Fees must be paid by 1 September to avoid any late fees. 

Animal Services Manager Lionel Bridger says registering your dog is important.

“It means we can reunite owners and their best mates as quickly as possible if they’re lost.

“This is the perfect time for owners to check that we have the correct details on record, particularly if they’ve moved address within the last year.” 

Dog owners can reduce their registration fees by applying to be a ‘Responsible Dog Owner’.

“You can apply to be a Responsible Dog Owner if you’ve owned a dog for at least 12 months or if you’ve paid your dogs registration on time for the last two years.”  

Lionel said the council has 12,835 registered Responsible Dog Owners, a number he would like to see rise. 

Registration reminders will be sent by email, or post for dog owners without an email address. The notice will contain your customer number and payment reference, which is required when making payments online. 

Payments can be made online or at any of the Council’s Service Centres. 

“Dog registration fees are used to fund the council’s animal management services, everything from patrols to shelters and responding to complaints.

“Registration also covers free microchipping and education programmes in the community.” 

Dog owners can update their details online.