Last reviewed: Wed, 30 Sep 2009

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep animals (other than cats or dogs) on my property?

This depends on the type of animal. In general terms, all animals can be kept providing they do not cause a nuisance.

There are specific rules in the City Plan that relate to:

  1. Boarding of animals (Living zones) 
  2. Boarding of domestic animals (rural zones)
  3. Intensive livestock management (rural zones)
  4. Grazing of stock (rural zones)
  5. Livestock facilities (Open Space 3C zone).

Note: While you can keep poultry / birds on your residential property, if you can't control your rooster's crowing at unreasonable times (prior to 7am), it will need to be removed from your property.

Can my children catch worms off my dog?

Yes - it is important to treat dogs for worms every six weeks when they are puppies and every six months after the dog reaches six months of age. Children should be made aware of good hygiene practice around dogs e.g. washing hands after contact with the dog and not letting the dog lick their faces.

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I want to dispose of my dog, where can I take it?

The Christchurch City Council Animal Shelter will not put down unwanted dogs on behalf of dog owners. The owner needs to take care of these arrangements themselves, please ring your vet.

Expired dogs
Contact your vet if you need to put it down, there is an SPCA Referral link if you do not have a vet. For funeral services the SPCA also have a referral guide for cremation or burial. Look under the website link for Pet Funerals.

Living dogs
There are a number of places worth trying:

RSPCA
Phone: (03) 349 7057
SPCA Referral Guide to Vets
SPCA Referral Guide to Pet Funerals

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What are the rules for setting up boarding kennels or a cattery?

Boarding kennels and catteries are permitted in rural zones in the Proposed City Plan provided that no building, compound or part of a site used for the housing of domestic animals is located within 50 metres of any site boundary, or 200 metres of any living zone boundary.

Within the living zones, boarding of animals on a site shall be limited to a maximum of four animals in the care of a registered veterinarian for medical or surgical purposes only. You will need to discuss your proposal with a Planning Officer.

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What is the definition of a companion dog?

Companion dogs are now included in the Dog Control Act 1996 under a wider category called ‘Disability Assist Dogs’, these are dogs that have been trained and certified by the Top Dog Companion Trust as a companion dog or under training as a companion dog. Only dogs that have been trained by the Top Dog Companion Trust can be certified.

The purpose of these dogs is to assist disabled people by opening doors, cupboards, fridges, fetching the phone and products from supermarket shelves. Dogs that are certified in this category qualify for free dog registration.

For further information, contact:
Top Dog Companion Trust
Education House West
178-182 Willis Street
Wellington
Phone: (04) 382 8561

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Can I keep animals (other than cats or dogs) on my property?

This depends on the type of animal. In general terms, all animals can be kept providing they do not cause a nuisance. There are specific rules in the City Plan that relate to:

  • boarding of animals (living zones)
  • boarding of domestic animals (rural zones)
  • intensive livestock management (rural zones)
  • grazing of stock (rural zones)
  • livestock facilities (Open Space 3C zone).
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Authorising Unit: Inspections and Enforcement

Last reviewed: Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Next review: Tuesday, March 30, 2010