[Adopted 3-28-2005 by Ord. No. 05-013; amended 6-14-2010 by Ord. No. 10-012; 3-28-2016 by Ord. No. 16-018l; 9-26-2016 by Ord. No. 16-032; 8-9-2021 by Ord. No. 21-28]
This article shall be known as the "Cats and Wild Animal Control Chapter of the Township of Manchester."
The purpose of this article is to establish an ordinance to manage the feeding of wild animals, including but not limited to feral cats, squirrels and other rodents, as well as the roaming of unneutered cats within the Township of Manchester, so as to protect the public health, safety and welfare, and to prescribe penalties for failure to comply.
For the purpose of this article, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meaning stated herein unless their use in the text of this article clearly demonstrates a different meaning. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words used in the plural number include the singular number, and words used in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.
FEED
To give, place, expose, deposit, distribute or scatter any edible material with the intention of feeding, attracting or enticing wildlife. "Feeding" does not include baiting in the legal taking of fish and/or game.
FERAL CAT
Wild cats that run loose that may not be spayed/neutered nor properly inoculated against rabies.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, association, or political subdivision of the state subject to municipal jurisdiction.
WILD ANIMAL
Any animal other than domesticated pets or farm animals, including feral cats.
A. 
No person shall own, keep or harbor any wild animal or feral cat within the Township except in compliance with the provisions of this article.
B. 
No person shall feed any wild animal or feral cat within the Township of Manchester unless in compliance with Article V of this charter.
A. 
Provide appropriate and adequate food, water and shelter for their cats, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 44:22-26.
B. 
Exercise reasonable care to guard the animal against creating a nuisance;
C. 
Not permit a sexually intact (not spayed or neutered) domesticated animal to roam unsupervised; and
D. 
Not abandon a domesticated cat pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:22-6.
This article shall be enforced by the Manchester Township Animal Control Officer.
A. 
Any person violating any provisions of this article shall be first given a written warning by the Animal Control Officer.
B. 
Subsequent violations of this article shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $500 for each violation.
C. 
If the violation is of a continuing nature, each day during which it continues constitutes a separate and distinct offense hereunder.