K9 and Kats Pet Directory

07/06/2026

National Best Friends Day. These are my best doggy friends!

For many of us, our dogs are more than pets - they're our daily walking partners, trusted confidants, adventure buddies, and loyal best friends. They greet us with enthusiasm, keep us active, and are always there when we need them most.

So, what better day to celebrate your best doggy friend than today?

Whether it's a treat, a groom to make them feel special, a walk followed by lunch, or a new toy from a local pet shop, just a little extra can go a long way in making their day special.

Visit our pet directory to discover pet-friendly businesses near you and plan the perfect National Best Friends Day outing with your dog.

How are you celebrating with your best friend today? Let us know in the comments!

06/06/2026

How to Find a Healthy, Well-Raised Puppy or Kitten

Bringing a new pet into your home is a big decision, and where your puppy or kitten comes from can have a lasting impact on their health, behaviour, and overall wellbeing. Taking the time to find a responsible source gives your new companion the best possible start in life.

What Makes a Responsible Breeding Programme?

Ethical breeding focuses on more than appearance alone. Good breeders carefully select parents based on health, temperament, and suitability for family life. They invest significant time and resources into ensuring young animals are raised in a safe, clean, and enriching environment.

Puppies and kittens should be given opportunities to socialise, explore, and develop confidence before moving to their new homes.

Things to Look For

When researching where to get your next pet, consider whether the seller:

Can provide health screening information for the parents.
Welcomes visits and is happy to show you where the animals are raised.
Supplies vaccination and veterinary records.
Is knowledgeable about the breed and its characteristics.
Takes an interest in your lifestyle and the home you can offer.
Provides ongoing advice and support after collection.
Belong to an association.

Transparency is often a good sign that animal welfare is a priority.

Questions Worth Asking

Before making a commitment, ask about:

Any known hereditary health concerns within the breed.
The socialisation experiences provided during the early weeks.
Feeding routines and care requirements.
Insurance, registration, or health guarantees.
Support available after you take your new pet home.

A genuine professional will welcome these conversations and be happy to help.

Choosing the Right Breed for Your Lifestyle

Every breed has unique traits, exercise requirements, grooming needs, and personality characteristics. Spending time researching different options can help you find a pet that fits comfortably into your household.

Whether you're considering an active sporting dog, a laid-back companion, or a cat known for its affectionate nature, understanding breed-specific needs can help create a successful long-term match.

Search Trusted Listings in Our Directory

Our pet directory website makes it easy to discover reputable sources for puppies and kittens across the country. Browse listings, learn more about different breeds, and connect with knowledgeable professionals who prioritise health, welfare, and responsible practices.

Starting your search with reliable information can help you make a confident decision and welcome a happy, healthy pet into your family.

Tacodah Catz Siamese & Orientals
Le Epitome Kennels
Minibullies Frenchies & Mini Dachshunds NZ

06/06/2026

Have you noticed your dog taking longer to get up after resting, slowing down on walks, or seeming a little less comfortable than they used to be?

These can be common signs of stiffness, reduced mobility, or age-related discomfort. The good news is that the right support can make a significant difference to your dog's comfort, confidence, and quality of life.

Many dogs benefit from professional therapies and treatments designed to support joint health, muscle function, recovery, and overall wellbeing. Whether your dog is showing early signs of stiffness or needs ongoing mobility support, seeking advice from qualified pet health professionals can help them stay active and comfortable for longer.

At K9 and Kats Pet Directory, you'll find a range of trusted pet health specialists and other wellbeing professionals dedicated to helping dogs move more comfortably.

The biggest change isn't just easier movement—it's an improved quality of life.

Visit our website to connect with experienced pet health specialists and find the right support for your dog's individual needs.

Eezapet - relieves the itch
Floofin' Fabulous
FurFam NZ Limited
Newflands
Omokoroa Mobile Pet Vets
Revive Energy Enhancement Centre
The Balanced Dog Ltd
Smooch Natural Products
Zest Paw Life

04/06/2026

The areas we don't always see can have a big impact on a pet's comfort and hygiene.

Long hair around the hygiene area can quickly become tangled, trap dirt and moisture, and make day-to-day cleanliness more difficult. Regular trimming helps keep pets comfortable, cleaner, and easier to maintain between grooming appointments.

Professional groomers understand the importance of these often-overlooked areas and can safely tidy them as part of a grooming routine. It's one of those small services that can make a noticeable difference to your pet's wellbeing.

If you're looking for a trusted groomer, visit the K9 and Kats pet directory website. We feature groomers across New Zealand, making it easy to find experienced professionals who can help keep your pet looking and feeling their best.

Have you checked whether your pet's hygiene areas could benefit from a tidy-up?

ALH Clipping Services
Aunty Am's Dog Grooming
Grooming With Summah
Kiwi Scissors 195
The Groomers Shop
Mars & Co Pet Grooming
Salty Dog Grooming
Temple of Groom

03/06/2026

Have you booked your pet care for the school holidays yet? Is your answer A or B?

The New Zealand school holidays are only a month away, and if you're planning a getaway, now is the time to organise your pet care.

Our pet sitters and boarders are already seeing their diaries fill up as holiday bookings start rolling in. Leaving it until the last minute could mean missing out on your preferred pet care provider.

Whether you're heading away for a weekend, a family holiday, or visiting friends and relatives, having trusted care arranged for your pets gives you peace of mind while you're away.

Visit the K9 and Kats Pet Directory website, you'll find experienced pet sitters and boarders ready to care for your pets in a safe and comfortable environment.

Don't leave your holiday pet care to chance. Get in early, secure your booking, and enjoy your break knowing your pets are in good hands.

ValleyView-Wanaka
JetPark Hotels
Minden Mutts - Because Dogs Deserve Holidays Too
Shaggy Tails
𝓛𝓪𝓭𝔂 𝓜𝓮𝓲 𝓓𝓸𝓰 𝓒𝓪𝓻𝓮
Kokos kennels
Canine Lifestyle Solutions Dog Training and Day Care Hawkes Bay
Levin Boarding Cattery
The Mad Catter Cattery
Zoomies Doggy Daycare
Jess & Co House & Petsitters
The Happy Pawss Crew
Whiskers Pet Minding
Klub K9
VIPets Dog Walking and Pet Sitting

03/06/2026

Show us your greyhounds! National Greyhound Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate one of the most gentle, affectionate, and misunderstood dog breeds.

Greyhounds may be known for their speed on the track, but at home they are often happiest curled up on a comfortable bed, enjoying a quiet and relaxed lifestyle. Their calm nature, loving temperament, and low-maintenance exercise needs make them wonderful companions for many households.

If you're considering adding a Greyhound to your family, we encourage you to learn more about adoption and the incredible dogs looking for homes through May hounds Rescue. Their dedication to helping retired and rehomed Greyhounds find loving families has changed the lives of countless dogs across New Zealand.

At K9 and Kats, we're proud to feature May Hounds Rescue in our pet directory, helping connect potential adopters with reputable rescue organisations and dogs looking for their forever homes.

National Greyhound Day is a wonderful reminder of the important role rescue organisations play in giving these beautiful dogs a second chance and helping more people discover what fantastic companions Greyhounds can be.

Visit our pet directory website to learn more about May Hounds Rescue and other trusted pet services and organisations throughout New Zealand.

May Hounds Charitable Trust - Greyhound Rehoming Group

02/06/2026

If your dog comes home from a long walk more hyper, restless, or unable to settle, it might not be a lack of exercise causing the problem. For many dogs, too much stimulation, over-excitement, or walks that are too long can leave them feeling overwhelmed rather than calm.

A lot of owners are told that a “good long walk” will fix unwanted behaviour, but that is not always the case. Some dogs actually need calmer, more structured walks with opportunities to decompress, sniff, and move at a pace that suits them. Repeating overstimulating walks every day can make pulling on the lead, reactivity, barking, and difficulty settling even harder over time.

The good news is that small changes to your dog’s walking routine can make a huge difference. A calmer walk plan often helps dogs feel more relaxed at home, improves focus outdoors, and supports better behaviour overall.

Every dog is different, which is why personalised support matters. If you are struggling with an over-aroused dog after walks, get in touch with our trainers and dog walkers through the Pet Directory for friendly, practical advice tailored to your dog’s needs. We are here to help you create walks that leave your dog feeling balanced, not burnt out.

Whether you need support with loose lead walking, calmer routines, enrichment ideas, or confidence-building walks, our experienced professionals can help you and your dog enjoy walking again.

Contact our trainers and walkers through the Website Directory today to find the right support for your dog.

Becky's Dog Walking
K9 Connections
Ruff Around The Edges
Dogs Best Friend
K9 Explorers Dog Training & Walking
Journey Dog Training
Paws and Thrive
Socialdog
The Happy Pawss Crew
Walk a mile dog walking
Canine Lifestyle Solutions Dog Training and Day Care Hawkes Bay
Klub K9
Your Canine Compass - Wellington Dog Training
Jess & Co House & Petsitters
VIPets Dog Walking and Pet Sitting

01/06/2026

It’s my birthday, so I’m celebrating by extending our opening offer until 31 May 2026!

To thank our foundation members for their support, they will be able to keep their current listing offer. New pricing for pet businesses and pet friendly businesses (like cafe's and accommodation) will be introduced at the end of this month.

If you know someone with a pet business, dog walking service, pet sitting business, grooming salon, training service, or any pet friendly business, now is the perfect time to tell them about our website before the new prices begin.

Thank you for supporting our growing pet business community. If you would like to join us or learn more about our listings, get in touch today. The link to join is in the comments.

01/06/2026

This closed last night. As it's Kings birthday now and not just mine, I'm letting in today only the last pet businesses that forgot to join at the old price.
Pass it on to any pet or pet friendly business for them to take advantage of this great offer!

It’s my birthday, so I’m celebrating by extending our opening offer until 31 May 2026!

To thank our foundation members for their support, they will be able to keep their current listing offer. New pricing for pet businesses and pet friendly businesses (like cafe's and accommodation) will be introduced at the end of this month.

If you know someone with a pet business, dog walking service, pet sitting business, grooming salon, training service, or any pet friendly business, now is the perfect time to tell them about our website before the new prices begin.

Thank you for supporting our growing pet business community. If you would like to join us or learn more about our listings, get in touch today. The link to join is in the comments.

31/05/2026

Why Every New Zealand Pet Should Be Microchipped and Registered

For many New Zealand pet owners, a collar and tag feel like enough. The reality is that collars can break, tags can fall off, and frightened pets can travel surprisingly far from home. A microchip gives your pet a permanent form of identification that can help reunite you quickly if they are lost.

In New Zealand, microchipping is especially important because thousands of veterinary clinics, councils, shelters, rescues, and SPCAs use the New Zealand Companion Animal Register to identify lost animals and contact their guardians.

What Is a Pet Microchip?

A microchip is a tiny electronic chip implanted under your pet’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades. The procedure is quick and similar to a standard injection. Each chip contains a unique identification number that can be read with a scanner.

The microchip itself does not store your contact details. Your information is linked to the chip number through a database such as the New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR).

Why Keeping Your Details Updated Matters

A microchip only works if the contact information attached to it is current. If you move house, change your phone number, or update your email address, your pet’s registration should be updated immediately.

The NZCAR allows guardians to:

Update contact details
Add a secondary contact
Add pet photos and notes
Mark a pet as lost
Rehome a pet
Manage multiple pets from one account dashboard

Animal welfare workers and pet owners regularly report that outdated contact details are one of the biggest reasons lost pets cannot be reunited quickly.

What You Need to Know About the NZ Companion Animal Register

The NZ Companion Animal Register (NZCAR) is New Zealand’s leading lost and found microchip database for pets. It is operated by Companion Animals New Zealand and has more than 1.5 million animals registered nationwide.

The register supports:

Dogs
Cats
Rabbits
Birds
Horses
Guinea pigs
Many other companion animals

When an approved user such as a vet clinic, SPCA, rescue organisation, or council scans a lost animal’s chip, they can access the registration details and contact the guardian.

According to NZCAR information:

Registration is a one off fee for the lifetime of the animal
Lost and found listings are available through the platform
Multiple pets can be linked to one account
Secondary emergency contacts can be added
Is Microchipping Mandatory in New Zealand?

Under New Zealand law, most dogs registered after 1 July 2006 must be microchipped, although working farm dogs used mainly for herding or driving stock are exempt.

Dog owners should also understand that council dog registration and NZCAR registration are separate systems. Your dog can be registered with council but still have outdated or incomplete microchip information.

How to Check if Your Pet’s Chip Is Registered

If you are unsure whether your pet’s chip is registered or linked to the correct information, NZCAR provides a microchip checker on its website.

It is a good idea to check:

After moving house
After changing phone numbers
When adopting a pet
After changing ownership
At least once a year
Lost Pets and Fast Reunions

Pets can disappear during fireworks, storms, open gate accidents, travel, or emergencies. Having an active and updated microchip registration gives your pet a far better chance of getting home safely.

Many New Zealand pet owners only discover their details are outdated after a pet goes missing. Taking a few minutes now to verify your pet’s information could save days of stress later.

You can learn more or update your pet’s registration through the official NZ Companion Animal Register website.