Local dog owners have been paw-sitive about the introduction of new metal registrations tags in the Ashburton District, with over 1000 pooches registered in the first week.

Council is moving away from the plastic registration strips for a metal option that won't need to be replaced each year.

Dog registration packs have been arriving in letterboxes recently, encouraging dog owners to register their pets and working dogs before the end of July.

Compliance and Development Group Manager Jane Donaldson said the new metal tags were a great replacement for plastic.

“Each tag is printed with the registration number and as long as that remains readable, you shouldn't need to replace it. If the tag does become worn or damaged, you can simply pop into the Council for a replacement.”

Every dog over the age of three months needs to be registered and Council staff are expecting to process nearly 7000 registrations during the month of July.

Ms Donaldson said the easiest option for dog owners was to register their dogs online and receive their new tag in the mail.

“Last year online registrations outnumbered over-the-counter transactions for the first time, so it's fantastic that people are finding the online option easy-to-use and convenient."

Tag 0001 has already been issued and now adorns the collar of a 12-year-old dog, appropriately called Boss.

Dog registration and control fees, and charges for the 2023-24 year have risen slightly to allow for inflation.

Online registration and a full list of charges can be found at ashburtondc.govt.nz/dogs