Impounded dogs

This page explains what happens when a dog is impounded by the Dunedin City Council (DCC), how to reclaim your dog, and how to adopt an impounded dog.

First ride home free

The DCC operates a “first ride home free” approach for registered dogs that are picked up.

If your dog has a current registration and our Animal Control Officers are able to confirm the dog’s identity using its registration tag or microchip, they will try to contact you to arrange a return home without impoundment.

It is important to keep your contact details up to date so you can be contacted quickly. Microchips can occasionally fail or move, so it is a good idea to have your dog’s microchip checked regularly by your vet. Our animal services team are also happy to scan your dog if you see them while they are out on patrols.

Registered dogs may still be impounded if:

• the dog’s identity cannot be confirmed, or we can't get in touch with the owner
• the dog has been wandering previously, or
• the dog has been involved in a serious incident and needs to be impounded for public safety reasons.

How to get your impounded dog released

If you have been notified that your dog is impounded, or believe your dog may be in the DCC pound, you will need to:

• Check the DCC public notices to confirm the dog is yours.
• Call us on 03 477 4000 so we can calculate your release fees. You can also visit one of our Customer Services centres during their open hours.
• If your dog is already in our system, we may be able to send you a link to make payment online on weekdays.

Your dog must be registered before it can be released and may also need to be microchipped. We will confirm what is required at the time of payment.

Collecting your dog

Once you have paid the release fees, we will provide you with directions to the pound, which is operated on our behalf. Please take your payment receipt with you when collecting your dog, along with a leash and collar. Please allow enough time to complete payment and travel to the pound. You must arrive during release times to be able to collect your dog.

Release times at the pound are:

• Monday to Friday:  8:30am - 10am or 4pm - 6pm
• Weekend releases are by appointment and can be arranged with the Animal Services team.

When you arrive at the pound, go to the pound office and wait for staff to arrange the release of your dog.

Unclaimed dogs

All impounded dogs are advertised in the DCC public notices, along with the date they become available for adoption.

You have seven days to make arrangements to pay the impounding costs and reclaim your dog. If no arrangements are made within this timeframe, your dog becomes the property of the DCC.

What happens to dogs that are not adopted from the pound?

The DCC works with Dog Rescue Dunedin to help rehome dogs that are not adopted directly from the pound.

Suitable dogs may be transferred to Dog Rescue Dunedin so they can be fostered and rehomed through their organisation. The DCC does not operate a foster programme directly from the pound. If you believe you could provide a temporary home for a dog, please contact Dog Rescue Dunedin directly to enquire about fostering opportunities.

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