Far North District Council is taking the lead in reuniting lost dogs with their owners with the introduction of a new text system as part of dog registration later this year. Photo / NZME
Far North District Council is taking the lead in reuniting lost dogs with their owners with the introduction of a new text system as part of dog registration later this year. Photo / NZME
A text message system to help wandering dogs get home is coming to the Far North.
The Far North District Council plans to introduce the service later this year as part of its annual dog registration process, allowing the public to text a number on a dog’s registration tagto connect directly with its owner.
The system, run in partnership with Doggone, has reunited 5000 lost dogs with their owners and the FNDC joins five other councils using the service.
By opting into the free scheme during the dog registration process, dog owners can be contacted immediately if their pet is found wandering.
Only the owner’s chosen phone number is shared with the finder – no names, addresses, or other identifying information are available.
The Doggone app lets owners add important details about their dog, such as diet or health conditions, which is shared with the person who finds the dog.
The app also allows the council to send important animal welfare and dog registration updates directly to the owner’s phone.
Hilary Sumpter, FNDC group manager for delivery and operations, said the service adds further value to the annual dog registration, giving owners a practical tool to help protect their pets.
“By opting into this service, dog owners give their dog the best chance of a quick return home if it ever strays.”
Doggone founder and chief executive Tracy Austin said owners are typically contacted within a couple of minutes of the dog being found.
“We typically see around 90% of dog owners opt into the service when councils offer it as part of dog registration. We would hope to see a similar level of uptake from dog owners in the Far North.”
Doggone founder and CEO Tracy Austin said the service has helped reunite 5 000 lost dogs.
She said by helping resolve wandering dog situations quickly within the community, councils can focus more on other important tasks such as education, animal welfare, and community safety.
“Every region is unique, but all dogs, owners, and councils benefit from resolving wandering dog events quickly without needing to transport the dog to a vet clinic or the pound. In rural areas, where distances can be significant, this can be especially beneficial.”
However, local animal advocate Summer Johnson, from Bay of Islands Animal Rescue, is not sure it will work.
Johnson said while the idea sounded good in theory, she believed it would only work if dog owners were compliant with registration.
She said the council needs to focus on stronger enforcement of dog laws, including mandatory microchipping, desexing and vaccinations.
“And they must prosecute the non-compliant and irresponsible dog owners.”
She said the council’s Facebook page where people post photos of wandering dogs worked better.
