From 3 October 2011 the following changes apply:

1. A Single Dog Licence £12.50 per year unless:

• Applicants who are 65 or over do not need to pay a fee to licence one dog normally kept in their possession. If the applicant is 65 or over and has more than one dog, that applicant is eligible for a cheaper licence fee of £5 for each additional dog.
• Applicants will also be eligible for a reduced rate licence if they are in receipt of certain benefits at the date on which they apply for the licence. Qualifying Benefits are Income Support or Housing Benefit. Proof of Benefits may be required.
• Finally, the £5 licence fee is also available where the dog concerned has been neutered. A Veterinary certificate may be required.

2. Block Licence

• From 3rd October 2011 the cost of a Block Licence will increase to £32.00 per year. There is no reduction on this fee.

3. Microchipping

Under the terms of the Dogs (Licensing and Identification) Regulations (NI) 2012:

• From 9th April 2012 Newtownabbey Borough Council will not issue a licence unless the dog has been implanted with a microchip that has been registered on a database with the owner’s details.
• This will not apply if the keeper of the dog produces to the council a certificate signed by a veterinary surgeon to the effect that implantation (or continued implantation) of a microchip in the dog would have an adverse effect on the health of the dog.

Free Microchipping

Newtownabbey Borough Council and Dogs Trust have teamed up with local vets to provide micro-chipping free of charge for any dog that is brought to their surgery for a limited period. Participating surgeries are:

Glenburn Veterinary Surgery

384 Antrim Rd, Newtownabbey

Tel: 9084 9350

Clare Veterinary Surgery

75 Ballynure Rd, Ballyclare

Tel: 9332 2223

Voy Veterinary Surgery

44 Ballybracken Road, Doagh, Ballyclare

Tel: 07733 321443

Abbey Veterinary Surgery

163 Doagh Rd, Newtownabbey

Tel: 9036 5573