Dog owners in Auckland beware - registering your pooch through a third-party website could be a waste of money.
Auckland Council is reminding dog owners around the region that it only takes payment for dog registrations directly, not through third parties.
The council said it had become aware that the website regthedog.co.nz was also taking payments from Auckland dog owners.
The website claims to provide services to the Kaikoura, Kaipara and Central Otago district councils, but there is no mention of Auckland Council.
The council is not affiliated with any businesses offering the service on its behalf, and that includes regthedog.co.nz, according to council Animal Management boss Tracey Moore.
"We have never outsourced dog registration, or given regthedog.co.nz authorisation to take payment on behalf of Auckland Council," Moore said.
"If anyone has made a payment through this website, or any other third party, please phone us on 09 301 0101."
Payments can be made online through the council website, over the counter at council service centres or by cheque. Renewals can be done over the counter at Kiwibank.
Dog owners are legally required to register their dogs and renew registrations each year. Those who don't risk a $300 fine.
All dogs should have been registered or re-registered by August 1, but the council believes about 20,000 dogs in Auckland are still not registered.
