Animal Services officers have the right to seize and impound any wandering dog.
Check the following information about what to do if you find or lose a dog, and impounding costs.
Lost and impounded dogs are held at the Moa Point animal shelter.
To find out if your dog is being held, opening hours for collection and fees that are due, call us on 04 499 4444.
Fees
No dog will be released until all costs have been paid. Failure to claim an impounded dog does not relieve the owner from costs.
| Item |
Fee |
| First impounding |
$115 |
| Second impounding in same registration year |
$185 |
| Third and subsequent impounding |
$246 |
| Daily sustenance fee |
$21 |
| After hours callout |
$33 |
| Micro-chipping |
$39 |
Lost dogs
If you have lost your dog, call us on 04 499 4444. You may also want to contact neighbours and post photos and descriptions on local noticeboards.
Microchipping and registration helps make sure that if your dog is found, it can be identified and you can be contacted quickly.
Strays and impounding
You are legally responsible for keeping your dog under control at all times. Failure to do so is an offence under Section 53 of the Dog Control Act 1996 with a fine of up to $3,000 or an infringement fee of $200.
If your dog is found roaming it will be impounded at your expense.
If your dog is identifiable, you will be notified by phone or written notice. You cannot take your dog home from Moa Point animal shelter until you have made an appointment with an Animal Control Officer and paid your impound fees.
How to collect your dog from the shelter
If you have received notification of your dog or other animal being impounded, you should first contact Animal Services by phone or email. You need to make an appointment to meet an Animal Control Officer at Moa Point shelter.
Do not visit Moa Point without an appointment – you will not be able to enter.
When making an appointment, the Animal Control Officer will also advise you of impound release fees. You must pay the advised amount at the time of your appointment. There is an EFTPOS machine on-site and we do not accept cash. Moa Point Animal Shelter is a cashless venue.
Once you have paid the impound release fee at Moa Point, you are free to take your dog or animal home.
Unclaimed dogs
Dogs that are unclaimed after seven days become the property of Wellington City Council and they can be adopted or put down.
Adopt a dog
Dogs adopted through Animal Services, SPCA or HUHA qualify for a fee discount in the first year of registration. For details, see Dogs - Fees
Other lost animals
Other animals are occasionally impounded. If you have lost a family pet, call us on 04 499 4444.
Found or problem dogs
To report a stray or nuisance dog, call us on 04 499 4444.