[Adopted by Ord. No. 1990-15BH (Sec. BH:4-1 of the 1992 Board of Health Code)]
A. 
New Jersey is no longer free of wildlife rabies, and there are no effective methods known for directly controlling same, it is very important that the "spillover effect" of wildlife rabies to domestic species (i.e., dogs and cats) must be interrupted to protect human beings from the transmission of rabies through their pets.
B. 
The rabies threat to humans from cats is greater because of the low rabies vaccination rate of cats combined with their tendency to hunt and explore at night, thus bringing them into direct contact with wildlife.
A. 
Vaccination requirements. No person shall own or maintain any cat over seven months of age within the Township, unless such cat is vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian.
B. 
Exemptions.
(1) 
The provisions of this section shall not apply to cats held by a state or federally licensed research facility, or a veterinary establishment where cats are received or kept for diagnostic, medical or surgical, or other treatments.
(2) 
Any cat may be exempted from the requirements of such vaccination for a specified period of time by the Board of Health upon presentation of a veterinarian's certificate stating that because of an infirmity or other physical condition, or regimen of therapy, the inoculation of such cat shall be deemed inadvisable.
C. 
Vaccination certificate. A certificate of vaccination shall be issued to the owner of each animal vaccinated on a form promulgated by the Board of Health.
A. 
Any person who owns or maintains a cat of vaccination age shall, during the month of January, annually apply for and procure from the Township Clerk an official certificate of registration as to each cat so owned or maintained. The certificate shall set forth the date and type of vaccination and who performed the same. A fee of $5 will be collected for each certificate.
B. 
All cats owned or maintained in a single household may be registered under a single certificate.
A. 
Failure to obtain or have a current registration certificate shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $25, plus expenses for a first offense, and not more than $50 plus costs for each subsequent offense.
B. 
Each unvaccinated cat owned or maintained by any person shall be deemed to give rise to a separate offense under this article.