[Adopted 10-19-2016 by Ord. No. BH:02-2016]
The Readington Township Board of Health desires to protect and
promote the health of the residents of the Township by minimizing
the proliferation of free-roaming cat colonies which constitute a
public health concern.
The Board of Health is empowered to enact health ordinances
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 26:3-64 et seq.
[Amended 12-16-2020 by Ord. No. BH 01-2020]
Knowingly feeding any free-roaming cat is prohibited unless
that cat is spayed or neutered as documented by a licensed veterinarian.
Any person knowingly feeding any free-roaming cat is required to verify
these precautions have been taken for that cat or will be held in
violation. Verification consists of documentation from a licensed
veterinarian indicating proof of spay/neutering. The verification
must specify the cat's gender, color, breed and free-roaming status.
First-time offenders in violation of this article will receive
a thirty-day warning to comply. Subsequent violations will be subject
to the penalty without a warning period; and any person who violates
or fails or refuses to comply with this article shall be liable for
a penalty of $100.
In the case of free-roaming cat colonies, because it is unreasonable
to expect that compliance can be met for a large number of cats in
a thirty-day period, any person knowingly feeding multiple cats in
a free-roaming cat colony must establish a schedule not to exceed
one year in agreement with the Township and the Township's designated
Animal Control Officer for compliance of all cats in the colony.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 248-13, Penalties for noncompliance
with schedule, was repealed 12-16-2020 by Ord. No. BH 01-2020.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Those that are not necessarily considered to be feral, but
which frequently roam outdoors and interact with feral cats and wildlife.
They may be outdoor cats with a specific owner, stray pets, feral,
or may have originated in one household and are now fed or cared for
by other households in the neighborhood. (NJ Dept of Health)
The intentional feeding or unintentional feeding that has
been identified as having provided food (to a free-roaming cat). Any
person made aware of his/her intentional or unintentional feeding
of any free-roaming cat must cease the feeding or administer the stated
treatment to the free-roaming cat to be in compliance with this article.
