For the purpose of this article, the following terms shall have
the meaning set forth in this section. When not inconsistent with
the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words
in the plural number include the singular, words in the singular number
include the plural, and words in the male gender include the female
gender.
ABANDONED
That an owner or caregiver has forsaken a domesticated cat
entirely, or has neglected or refused to provide care and support
to the cat.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
Any person employed or appointed by the Borough who is authorized
to investigate violations of laws and regulations concerning animals,
and to issue citations in accordance with New Jersey law and this
Code.
CAREGIVER
Any person who provides food, water or shelter to or otherwise
cares for a cat.
DOMESTICATED CAT
A cat that is socialized to humans and is appropriate as
a companion for humans.
EAR MARKED
A tagged, notched or tipped left ear as performed by a licensed
veterinarian.
FERAL CAT COLONY
A group of cats that congregates, more or less, together
as a unit. Although not every cat in a colony may be feral, any nonferal
cats that congregate with a colony shall be deemed to be a part of
it.
MANAGED CAT COLONY
Spaying and neutering the cats to stabilize the population
of the feral cat colony.
NUISANCE
Disturbing the peace by:
A.
Habitually or continually howling, crying or screaming; or
B.
The habitual and significant destruction, desecration or soiling
of property against the wishes of the owner of the property.
OWNER
Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, association,
trust, estate, or any other legal entity.
RESCUE GROUP
A for-profit or not-for-profit entity, or a collaboration
of individuals with at least one of its purposes being the adoption
or placement of cats in homes with humans to serve as companion animals.
STRAY CAT
A cat that is regularly off the property of the owner, is
not under the physical control and restraint of the owner and is not
regularly provided with food by its owner.
SUITABLE SHELTER
Shelter that provides protection from rain, sun, and other
elements that is adequate to protect the health of the cat.
TNR
Trap, neuter and return.
TNR PROGRAM
A program pursuant to which feral and stray cats are trapped,
neutered or spayed, vaccinated against rabies and returned to the
location where they congregate.
ZOONOTIC DISEASE
Those diseases transmittable to humans from animals, including
parasitic, bacterial, fungal and viral diseases.
The sponsor shall register feral cat colonies maintained by
approved caregivers. Feral cat colonies within the Borough that are
not registered by the sponsor are not entitled to any benefits or
protections set forth in this article. No colonies may be established
except in accordance with this article. On an annual basis, the sponsor
shall provide the Borough of Eatontown with a colony management plan
for the Borough containing all registered feral cat colonies with
information on the number of cats, anticipated rate of attrition and
the length of project, efforts to deter predation and to prevent immigration
of more cats into each colony. The list of registered feral cat colonies
and the annual colony management plan shall be filed with the Borough
Administrator.
Not later than December 31, 2015, the Borough of Eatontown shall
study the effectiveness of the TNR program and review the continuance
of this article. This article, however, shall continue as provided
until specifically rescinded or amended.