Rotorua Pound

Public access to the Rotorua Pound temporarily closed

From October through the end of 2026, the Rotorua Pound is temporarily closed to the public. This is for renovations to make the pound even more comfortable for our four-legged guests. Phone 07 348 4199 for any enquiry about adopting, surrendering or reclaiming a dog.

Closure information

An adoptable dog at the Rotorua Pound looking through a cage

Pound location

Rotorua Pound - temporarily closed to the public

210 State Highway 30, Horohoro, Rotorua 3077

While the Rotorua Pound is closed for renovations, to enquire about adopting or impounded dogs, please contact Animal Control on 07 348 4199 (Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm). Please do not visit the Pound during this time.

Collecting Impounded Dogs

Collecting impounded dogs - pound closure info

Please note the slight changes to dog collections while the Rotorua Pound is closed to the public:

Please call the Pound to organise the collection before arriving - call us on 07 348 4199
As normal, all outstanding fees must be paid before a dog can be released. Pay outstanding fees by eftpos or credit card at the main Rotorua Lakes Council Customer Centre (1061 Haupapa Street).
Collections will take place between 12pm - 1.30pm, Monday to Friday, from the Haupapa Street carpark at the main Council building, once all paperwork is complete.

Adopting a dog from the Rotorua Pound

Dogs available for adoption from the Rotorua Pound are often posted in our Facebook group: 'Rotorua Pound - Homeless Hounds'.

Please contact our Animal Control team on 07 348 4199 (Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm) if you think you can give a dog a good home.

Visit the Homeless Hounds Facebook group

Ownership criteria

Potential owners must:

Want a dog
Be prepared to commit themselves for the life of the dog (possibly up to 15 years)
Have a fully or partially fenced property that can provide a reasonably sized exercise area.

If you intend to keep the dog outside, you will need a suitable waterproof kennel or kennel/run combination.

What we need to check

Your property, to make sure it's suitable - including adequate fencing and an appropriately sized kennel
Your dog ownership history.

If you meet all of the above criteria, we would love to help match you to one of the dogs in our care.

Adoption fees

We no longer accept cash payments. Please use eftpos or credit card.

Re-homing	Covers	2026/2027 Fee inc. GST
Female dog	Parvovirus vaccination, desexing and microchip	$245
Male dog	Parvovirus vaccination, desexing and microchip	$195

You will also need to pay for the dog's annual registration fee.

Find out more about your responsibilities as a dog owner in Rotorua on the page below.

Owning dogs in Rotorua

Vaccinations, microchips and other treatments

Central City Vets de-sexes the dogs that are re-homed through the pound and offers discounts for their first vaccinations along with discounted flea and worm treatments.

Re-homed dogs are registered and microchipped at the pound at the time of adoption.

Rotorua Lakes Council reserves the right to refuse adoption where necessary.

Surrendering a dog

Sometimes dog owners need to make a difficult decision to rehome their pet. This is an unfortunate situation, and we acknowledge that it can be tough for anyone who has to make this hard call.

If you need to surrender your dog for any reason, please contact our Animal Control team to discuss your options. We are here to assist.

Please do not leave your dog outside the Pound. This can cause it unnecessary stress and could expose them to harsh weather or other risks. We do not have a ‘dump box’ for animals.

To speak to someone about surrendering your dog please phone 07 348 4199 (Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm).

About the Animal Control team

Rotorua Lakes Council's Animal Control team impounds around 2000 dogs each year. These dogs can be impounded for a number of reasons, including being picked up as a stray or roaming dog, being seized by Animal Control due to public safety concerns, being surrendered to Council or dumped.

Our Animal Control team work hard to reunite dogs with their owners where possible and appropriate, however many dogs are never claimed. These dogs become the responsibility of our Animal Control team who do their best to find a positive outcome for these dogs. While not all dogs can be re-homed due to breed, temperament or health issues, our team tries to find new homes for as many as they can.

Proudly supported by

Central City Vets

Little Angels Dog Grooming, Cat Grooming & Doggie Day-care

Alert

Find Your Bin Collection Day

Rotorua Pound

Public access to the Rotorua Pound temporarily closed

Pound location

Collecting impounded dogs - pound closure info