Permits and Responsible Dog Owner status

Responsible Dog Owner (RDO) status

You can apply for Responsible Dog Owner (RDO) status before 15 April in any given year.

To be eligible, you must be a registered dog owner with the Dunedin City Council (DCC) for at least two 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 two years.
• your dog must be a pet – it must not be classified as a working dog.

Once you have applied and paid, we will:

• inspect your property.
• check our animal control records for any valid complaints against you.
• go through the education component with you.

Applying for Responsible Dog Owner (RDO) status

You don't need to re-apply for the permit each year, however 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 here. We will need verification of your former status, payment of the fee and a successful property inspection.

If you have Selected Owner Status, this is automatically updated to Responsible Dog Owner status and you don’t need to apply.

Apply online for RDO status

Confirm the address where your dogs will be housed, and you will then be directed to the responsible dog owner application form and payment page.

Apply online for a kennel permit AND Responsible Dog Owner status

Confirm the address where your dogs will be housed, and you will then be directed to the combined kennel permit/RDO application form.

Once you have completed the form, your application fee will be calculated. Please call DCC on 03 477 400 to complete payment.

Declining or revoking a kennel permit or RDO status

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

Your permit or status may be revoked if:

• you breach the Dog Control 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.

Permit to have charge of more than six dogs in public spaces

If you walk seven or more dogs in public spaces, you will need to apply for a multiple dog walking permit from the DCC.  Once you have applied, an animal control officer will get in contact to arrange a time for an assessment with you and your dogs on a walk.

There is no fee for this permit during May and June 2025.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the multiple dog walking permit

I own a professional dog walking business. Can I apply for a permit for my staff?

The permit is issued to an individual, so each member of your team will need to apply and have the assessment.

I walk more than one group of dogs. Do I need to have an assessment for each group?

No. If you walk more than one group or combination of dogs, just give us some details of all the dogs you walk, and what the maximum number you would walk at a time is. The animal control officer completing your assessment will work with you to choose a group to assess.

I take my dogs to private land to exercise them. Do I need to apply for a permit?

No. You only need to apply if you are in charge of seven or more dogs in public spaces. You do not need a permit if you are on privately owned land.