Lost, Found and Adoptable Dogs
Lost dogs
If you have lost your dog
To report your lost or missing dog/s, please contact us with the following details:
- A full description of the dog/s
- Dog tag number/s and whether it was wearing a collar
- The date, time and last known address it was seen
You can also notify us online, however this is only processed during business hours.
Found a Stray Dog?
If you have found a stray dog and have it secured, please contact us immediately on 0800 734 834. The dog may be a much loved family pet, and our priority is to reunite it with its owner as quickly as possible.
Why you need to contact Council first
- Reporting the dog to Council ensures the correct owner is found.
- Only Councils have access to the National Dog Database used to match microchips and registration tags to owners. All registered dogs are automatically entered into this system.
- Most owners will call Council first when a dog goes missing. Reporting a found dog to us gives it the best chance of getting home quickly.
- It is a legal requirement If you cannot return the dog directly to its owner, the law requires you to notify Council.
While social media can help spread the word, not everyone will see your post — and there is a risk that the wrong person could claim the dog. Taking a stray dog to a veterinary clinic or pet shop may seem helpful, but owners do not usually check these places first.
If the dog is currently registered and has not wandered before, it is often returned to its owner free of charge. If the dog is a repeat wanderer, Council involvement is important to protect both the dog and public.
If you choose to hold the dog yourself
Please be aware that after 72 hours (3 days), you become legally responsible for dog's behaviour. This includes:
- Any infringement fines
- Any damage caused
For your safety, and the dog's, we strongly recommend contacting Council as soon as possible.
Impounded dogs
If your dog is impounded by one of our Animal Control Officers and it is microchipped, we will contact you. You will need to pay any impounding, microchipping, sustenance and registration fees before your dog can be released.
Fees can be paid by cash or EFTPOS at our Customer Service Centre in Ngātea, Waihī or Paeroa.
If we have any dogs that are impounded and we do not know who they belong to, these dogs will be advertised on our Facebook Page, Hauraki Pound Pups.
Please be assured our pound facilities are clean, comfortable and secure with individual housing for each dog.
Surrender your dog
If you wish to surrender your dog, please give our Animal Control Team a call to discuss your options. Please note we have a surrender fee that will be discussed.
Dogs up for adoption
We rehome suitable dogs that have been abandoned or surrendered.
Any dogs that are available for adoption will be advertised on our Facebook Page, Hauraki Pound Pups, and an email sent to those who have expressed an interest in adopting a pound dog.
If you would like to be added to our database and contacted when we have dogs available for rehoming, please complete and return the pre-adoption application form and we will add you to our email list.
If you are interested in adopting a dog, our Animal Control Team check your previous ownership history and complete a property inspection. They will arrange a ‘meet and greet’ and then a trial before you need to fully commit to adopting.
An adoption fee will be discussed with the new owner, but it is a small fee along with the commitment that the new owner will de-sex the dog.
Hauraki Pound Pups Facebook page
Check out our Facebook Page Hauraki Pound Pups. Here we advertise dogs that have been found in the District and are looking for their owner, as well as our dogs that are looking for a forever home.
