Dog lovers will be happily barking away at a dog walk event at Waipuna Park in Tauranga.

Tauranga City Council have teamed up with Western Bay Wander Dogs to create a free event that allows residents to come together to socialise with other dogs and people in a safe and fun environment.

The walk will start at the Waipuna Park carpark and will continue a long Johnson Reserve, before looping back around to the carpark.

'We wanted somewhere where people can walk with their dogs without the worry of interfering with other activities that might also occur in the area,”says Animal Services Education Co-ordinator Cheniel Powell.

'Waipuna offers a lovely, scenic walk, away from the general public and dangers, such as, roads and is already a popular walking spot for dogs and their owners.”

Spot prizes will be available on the day for owners and dogs first and last past the post and the muddiest dog and owner.

As well as games like Bingo and a raffle where owners can win items for their furry friends, such as, dog bowls, balls, throwing sticks and toys.

An animal service staff person will also be present during the walk to meet and get advice on animal-related matters.

'We hope everyone has lots of fun. We want people to come together, with their beloved pets and Animal Services for an enjoyable, relaxed and fun-filled dog walk.”

The walk is expected to take approximately one hour at a comfortable pace and will be held on Sunday, July 9, at 10am.

For the less able, or those with strollers or wheelchairs, a second walk will run at the same time on the lower sports fields of Waipuna Park.

A Tauranga City Council spokesperson says it's also owners' last chance to register their dogs before June 30.

The new registration tag is red, and owners have until 31 July to take advantage of the discounted fee ($82 standard dog or $123 dangerous dog).

This year they have introduced online internet banking option POLi (no surcharge fee), all owners who register their dogs by 31 July using POLi will go into the draw to win a prize.