A lot can change in a year - you could have moved house, got a new phone number or email address, or even landed a new job.

All of those things have something in common. They are the first things our Animal Services team use to contact you as a dog owner.

That's why the team is running a campaign reminding dog owners to make sure that their dog details are up to date in the lead-up to dog registrations.

Many people use their work email address, as it's an inbox you use every day, sending emails back and forth, but if you happen to change jobs, the likelihood of letting the team at Tauranga City Council know is low.

Animal Services team leader Brent Lincoln says having current details on file is important.

"Not only will it help us get your dog registration information to you in a timely manner, but it also allows us to reunite you with your furry friend should they go missing.

"You never know when your dog may decide it wants to go for a walk around the neighbourhood by itself, and it'll find itself in our care. We want to be able to reunite dog and dog owner together as quickly as possible, and having up-to-date details is an essential tool to be able to do that."

Weather events are another example of why having the right contact information matters, says Brent.

"You might be at work or out and about and unable to get home to make sure the dog is safe. We use the registration tag and microchip number, along with information we have in our system, to make sure that we reunite you with your furry friends. Weather events can be frightful enough, and having a missing dog is the last thing dog owners need to worry about."

So, if you've changed any details in the past year, our Animal Services team would like to know.

Having up-to-date details will help reunite the dogs with their owners and help the team prepare for dog registrations in 2025.

In previous years, nearly 1,000 tags had to be reissued due to being sent to the wrong address.

"When owners update their details, it gives the team confidence that they are sending out correspondence to the correct person and if via mail, it will be going to the right address," says Brent.

"In the past, many owners have updated their contact details and re-registered their dog/s in June once registrations open. While this is appreciated, we would like to be better prepared this year and are encouraging dog owners to update their details during May.

"Once we get into June, you will only need to register your dog. The Animal Services team can be confident they have the correct owners' details to make the registration process as smooth as possible for everyone."

To update your details, head to www.tauranga.govt.nz/dogrego and follow the prompts.

If you need help updating your details, call us on 07 577 7000 or email dog.registration@tauranga.govt.nz.

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