Microchipping your Dog
Does my dog need to be microchipped?
All dogs in New Zealand must be microchipped under the Dog Control Act 1996 Section 36A (excluding working dogs)
- Dogs registered for the first time after 1 July 2006 need to be microchipped within two months of first being registered.
- Any dog impounded on a second occasion must be microchipped before its release.
- Any unregistered dog that has been impounded must be microchipped before its release.
- Dogs classified as dangerous or menacing must be microchipped. This includes:
- those dogs that had been classified after 1 December 2003 but before 1 July 2006 - these dogs should have had a microchip implanted before 1 September 2006
- those dogs classified from 1 July 2006 onwards - these dogs must be microchipped within two months of being classified.
Regardless of any regulatory requirement to have your dog microchipped, microchipping also makes it easier to identify lost and found dogs and reunite them with their owners.
How do I get my dog microchipped?
There are three ways you can microchip your dog:
1. Visit one of our area offices and pay the required microchipping fee of $20.00 per dog.
Two blank copies of the microchip certificate will be provided. Present these at the time of chipping at your local animal shelter:
Te Puke: Monday- Friday: 4pm - 5pm
Katikati: Monday - Friday: 4pm - 5pm
Barkes Corner: Thursday: 8:30am - 9:30am (by appointment only)
2. At your local vet clinic. Forward a copy of your microchip certificate to customerservice@westernbay.govt.nz or drop it in to your area office so it can be recorded on the National Dog Database. Please note there are two different databases:
National Dog Database- compulsory - through Council
NZ Companion Animal Register - voluntary - through vet
3. Home Visit. Under exceptional circumstances an Animal Services Officer can organise a home visit, such as for the elderly or disabled.
- An appointment with the dog owner will be made for the next time an Animal Services Officer is in the area.
- Owners must be at home during the day (9am - 3pm).
How do I check if my dog is microchipped?
1. Have your dog scanned at the vet
2. Contact Council and we will scan the dog for you
