Auckland Council is urging dog owners to register their pets by August 1 to support essential animal management services.

Registration helps fund 24-hour responses to dog incidents and provides for dog shelters.

Council's Regulatory and Safety Committee Chair Josephine Bartley highlights that while many dog owners are responsible, registration numbers have fallen this year, increasing demand on animal management services.

"Last year, over 50% of dogs in our shelters were unregistered, complicating reunification efforts," she said.

"We need owners to register, desex, microchip, and control their dogs to prevent issues like attacks."

Animal Management Manager Elly Waitoa notes that registration is a user-pays service covering costs of keeping the community safe from dog-related nuisances.

"Owners who don’t register leave others to bear the cost. We've simplified the process; renew online or visit our service centres."

Auckland has 133,801 known dogs, but only 41% were registered by July 11, 2024, compared to 63% last year.

Registration fees also support investigations of dog attacks, roaming complaints, park patrols, welfare calls, adoptions, and education on dog safety.

Owners who fail to register risk a $300 fine and potential impounding of their dogs.

For lost registration paperwork, call Auckland Council at 09 301 0101 for assistance.