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If you have two or more dogs, you need a licence. If you have a good track record of dog ownership, you can apply for a Selected Owner permit.

Dog licences - do you need one?

If you have two or more dogs you must hold a licence. There are two exemptions to this rule:

1. If you have more than one working dog in a rural zone
2. If you had two or more dogs on 1 April 1997, you may keep them both without a permit until one of them dies. If you replace it, you will need a kennel permit.

Applying for a licence

When you have applied and paid for the licence, an animal control officer will inspect your property.

You can apply by completing the form below and returning it to us. Alternatively you can visit any one of our service centres and staff will help you complete the application form.

Application for a permit to keep 2 or more dogs on a property form (PDF, 97 kb, new window)

Selected Owner status

You need to apply for Selected Owner status before 15 April of each year and must meet all these criteria. You must be a registered dog owner with the DCC for at least 2 years and

• your dog must be registered under your, your spouse's or your partner's details
• your property must be adequately fenced to contain your dog at all times
• you must fully understand and comply with the Control of Dogs Bylaw
• your dog must not have been impounded by Animal Control in the past 2 years
• your dog must be a pet - it must not be classified as a working dog

Once you have applied, we will:

1. Inspect your property
2. Check our animal control records for any valid complaints against you
3. Go through the education component with you

You don't need to re-apply for SOP status each year but if you don't own a dog for two years, you will need to reapply when you get a new dog.

If you held a similar status in another district, you can apply to have it when you move here.
We need verification of your former status, payment of the $35 fee and we will do the property inspection.

If you are transferring from the Invercargill district you will need to be a registered dog owner with the DCC for at least 2 years before applying.

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Apply for selected owner status

You can apply by completing the form below and returning it to us. Alternatively you can visit any one of our service centres and staff will help you complete the application form. There is a $35 fee apply to this permit.

Selected Owner Application form (PDF, 260 kb, new window) - Use this form when applying for selected owner status.

Declining or revoking a licence or SOP

An application for a permit may be declined if your application or the property does not meet the criteria. The animal control officer will discuss this with you at the time of inspection. Your permit may be revoked if:

• You breach the Control of Dogs Bylaw
• There is a change in circumstances relating to the premises, owner or animals
• You fail to re-register your dog/s by the due date