In most New Zealand cities and districts, you can't have more than two dogs if you reside in an urban area. Keeping more than two dogs in most urban areas of New Zealand requires a license or permit. The purpose of a more than two-dog license in New Zealand urban zones is to minimize the potential for problems associated with having too many dogs on small properties, where neighbors are in close proximity. You can have up to four cats in most urban areas. In some New Zealand cities, there is no limit on the number of cats you can own.
In the City of Auckland, for example, the number of cats you can own isn't limited. If you live in an urban zone within Auckland, you need a license to own more than two dogs. However, you do not need a license if you live in a rural zone within Auckland. It is advisable to check with your local council to determine the allowable number of pets per property in your area. Check out the maximum of pets you can have in the following New Zealand cities and districts.
Invercargill, NZ
A special license is required to keep more than two dogs on a property in the City of Invercargill. Dog owners in Invercargill are advised to keep a plastic bag handy for when their dog fouls in public. Invercargill's bylaw recommends that you keep no more than three cats on your property.
Marlborough District, NZ
In the District of Marlborough, cat owners are limited to a maximum of four cats. A multiple-cat license is required to keep more than four cats in the region. Without a special license, dog owners are limited to two dogs per property in the district, except in rural zones.
Palmerston North, NZ
In the City of Palmerston North, you'll need a multiple-dog permit to own 3 or more dogs if your property is smaller than 2,000 square meters. To be issued a permit, your boundary neighbors must be OK with you keeping 3 or more dogs. In addition, your property must pass inspection to be issued a permit, for which there is a $64 application fee. You can have up to three cats in an urban area within Palmerston North. If you wish to exceed this limit, you'll need a permit from Council.
Mackenzie District, NZ
In urban areas of the District of Mackenzie, owners of more than two cats over the age of three months are required to obtain a license. The District Council strongly encourages that cats over six months of age be microchipped, albeit there is no legislation requiring cats to be microchipped and registered in the District. According to the District's Dog Control Bylaw 2021, a license is required to keep more than two dogs on a property located within any urban area.
Rangitikei District, NZ
A maximum of three cats is allowed per household in any urban area within the District of Rangitikei. To exceed this limit, you need to be given a written dispensation by an enforcement officer, according to the District's cat bylaws. If you live in a residential area (as per the Council District Plan), you are limited to two dogs, unless you obtain a multi-dog permit from Council.
Ruapehu District, NZ
You can have up to four cats over the age of 6 months without a permit in the District of Ruapehu. All cats over six months of age in the District are required to be microchipped and registered with the New Zealand Companion Animals Register, or other Council-approved microchip registry. Except in areas zoned Rural in the District Plan, the keeping of more than two dogs in Ruapehu requires a permit from the Council.
Napier, NZ
Like most New Zealand City Councils, the Napier City Council requires that you obtain a multiple-dog license to own more than two dogs in the City. There is no limit to the number of cats you can have in the City, provided the cats are sufficiently cared for, according to the Napier Animal Control Bylaw. However, the number of cats may be restricted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Regulatory Services Manager if the keeping of cats causes an environmental health issue.
Banned or restricted dog breeds in New Zealand
Five dog breeds are banned from being imported into New Zealand. These include the Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, American Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, and Perro de Presa Canario.
The following dog breeds are banned by Air New Zealand: Affenpinscher, Boxer, Boston Terrier, Bulldogs, Brussels Griffon, Chow Chow, Cane Corso, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Mastiffs, Pit Bull, Presa Canario, Pugs, and Pekingese.
Dog breeds originating in New Zealand
The following two dog breeds are unique to New Zealand:
- The New Zealand Huntaway: a strongly built dog breed used for general sheep-herding tasks in New Zealand.
- The New Zealand Heading Dog: a breed of herding dog derived from the Border Collie.
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