Plastic dog tags are set to become a thing of the past in Selwyn, following the introduction of a New Zealand first metal One Tag for 2021 dog registrations.
Selwyn District Council joins Wellington City Council and Hutt City Council as the first councils in New Zealand to introduce the metal tags, which are designed to last a dog’s lifetime.
The One Tag initiative is being introduced with the aim of reducing the amount of plastic waste going to the district’s landfills.
Dog owners will still need to pay their annual registration fees, but they can keep using the same tag as long as they live in their Council’s jurisdiction. Dog registration can be paid online once a dog is registered in the Selwyn system, saving on paper waste.
The One Tag is lightweight yet durable and comes in two round sizes – 25mm and 35mm. The Selwyn tags will be blue and the back of the tag is blank so owners can get it engraved with their dog’s name or their contact details if they wish at their own cost.
There are over 15,000 registered dogs in Selwyn, with around 70 new dogs coming into the district each month. The One Tag will support dog owners and the environment, says Council Group Manager Environmental and Regulatory Services Tim Harris.
“We’re always looking for new ways to make things easier for our dog owners and to do better as kaitiaki of our environment here in Selwyn,” Mr Harris said.
“Selwyn people love their dogs; we have one of the highest ownerships of dogs in the country and as one of the fastest growing districts in the country our dog numbers are growing all the time.
“The One Tag will save our dog owners the hassle of getting a new tag each year and prevent 15,000 tags and growing being thrown away each year.”
