Township of Old Bridge, NJ Pet Shops

Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

Any place of business which is not part of a kennel, wherein animals, including, but not limited to, dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, rabbits, hamsters or gerbils, are kept or displayed chiefly for the purpose of sale to individuals for personal appreciation and companionship rather than for business or research purposes.

License required. Any person who keeps, operates or proposes to establish a pet shop shall apply to the Township Clerk for a license entitling him to keep or operate the establishment. Any person holding the license shall not be required to secure individual licenses for dogs or cats owned by the licensee and kept at the establishment; licenses shall not be transferable to another owner or different premises.

Application information. The application shall contain the following information:

(1)

The name and permanent and local address of the applicant.

(2)

The street address where the establishment is located, or proposed to be located, together with a general description of the premises.

(3)

The purposes for which it is to be maintained.

(4)

The maximum number of dogs and cats to be accommodated by the establishment at any one time.

Sale of dogs and cats from USDA breeders only. Any pet shop operating in Old Bridge Township shall be required to sell dogs and cats bred by USDA-licensed breeders only.

Pet shop disclosure.

(1)

In addition to the application submitted pursuant to this section, every pet shop shall submit, to the Township Clerk, an initial and annual report that shall be due upon renewal of the license issued pursuant to this section, and providing the following information from the prior year of operation:

(a)

The name, full street address, e-mail address, and USDA license number of:

[1]

Any breeder from which the pet shop purchased a dog or cat, whether or not the pet shop offered the animal for sale;

[2]

Any breeder that bred a dog or cat that the pet shop purchased from a broker, whether or not the pet shop offered the animal for sale; and

[3]

Any broker from which the pet shop purchased an animal, whether or not the pet shop offered the animal for sale.

(b)

If a breeder whose identity the pet shop is required to report pursuant to § 39-44E(1)(a)[1] or [2] is required to be licensed in the state in which the breeder is located, the breeder's state license number;

(c)

If a broker whose identity the pet shop is required to report pursuant to § 39-44E(1)(a)[3] is different from any breeder whose identity the pet shop is required to report pursuant to § 39-44E(1)(a)[1] or [2], and the broker is required to be licensed in the state in which the broker is located, the broker's state license number; and

(d)

The total number of dogs and cats for each breeder and broker for which the pet shop has reporting requirements in § 39-44E(1).

(e)

The total number of dogs and cats sold by the pet shop during the prior year, which information shall be provided to the local health department in accordance with N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.8 e.

Approval of Health Officer. No license shall be issued until the proposed licensee receives an inspection and a satisfactory posting from the Health Officer or its designee that the establishment or proposed establishment complies with local and state rules governing the location of and sanitation at the establishment.

License term. All licenses issued for a pet shop shall state the purpose for which the establishment is maintained, and all licenses shall expire on the 30th day of June of each year.

License fees. The annual fees for a pet shop license shall be $10 annually.

Compliance with state regulations.

(1)

All licenses issued for a pet shop shall be subject to revocation or suspension for up to 90 days by the Township Council on recommendation of the State Department of Health or the Township Health Department for failure to comply with the rules and regulations of the State Department of Health or the Health Department, including if it is determined that the pet shop failed to maintain proper hygiene and exercise reasonable care in safeguarding the health of animals in its custody or sold a substantial number of animals that the pet shop knew, or reasonably should have known, to be unfit for purchase, after the owner has been afforded a hearing by either the State Department of Health or the Health Department.

(2)

Any person holding a license to establish, keep or operate a pet shop shall comply with all Township ordinances and the rules and regulations promulgated by the State of New Jersey, including the State Department of Health governing the sanitary conduct and operation of pet shops, the preservation of sanitation and the prevention of the spread of rabies and other diseases of dogs within and from these establishments.

Report to State Health Department. The Health Officer shall forward to the State Department of Health a list of all pet shops licensed within 30 days after the licenses are issued, which list shall include the name and address of the licensee and the kind of license issued.

Control of dogs off premises. No dog or cat kept in a pet shop shall be permitted off the premises, except on leash or in a crate or other safe control.