[Adopted 12-11-2012 by Ord. No. 3998]
For the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
An individual or group or individuals who, with or without
salary or compensation, house and care for homeless animals in the
home of an individual or in other facilities, with the intent of placing
the animals in responsible, more permanent homes as soon as possible.
The home or other facility in which an animal rescue organization
houses and cares for an animal.
A person 18 years of age or older who has satisfactorily
completed the course of study approved by the Commissioner of Health
and Senior Services and the Police Training Commission; or who has
been employed in the State of New Jersey in the capacity of, and with
similar responsibilities to those required of, a certified animal
control officer pursuant to the provisions of P.L. 1983, c. 525[1] for a period of three years before January 17, 1987.
Any dog, bitch or spayed bitch.
Any dog which has attained the age of seven months or which
possesses a set of permanent teeth.
Placement of a cat or dog with an individual or group that
is not an animal rescue organization for the purpose of temporarily
caring for the cat or dog, without the individual assuming ownership
and with the intent of the individual or group relinquishing the cat
or dog to a suitable owner when one is located.
Any establishment wherein or whereon the business of boarding
or selling dogs or breeding dogs for sale is carried on, except a
pet shop.
When applied to the proprietorship of a dog shall include
every person having a right of property in that dog and every person
who has that dog in his keeping, and when applied to the proprietorship
of any other animal, including, but not limited to, a cat, shall include
every person having a right of property in that animal and every person
who has that animal in his keeping.
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.
An establishment for the confinement of dogs or other animals
seized under the provisions of this act or otherwise.
Any establishment where dogs or other animals are received,
housed and distributed.
To render an animal incapable of reproducing by either spaying
or neutering.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.16a.
Any person who keeps or operates or proposes to establish a
kennel, a pet shop, a shelter or a pound shall apply to the Township
Clerk or other official designated to license dogs in the Township
where such establishment is located, for a license entitling him to
keep or operate such establishment.
The application shall describe the premises where the establishment
is located or is proposed to be located, the purpose or purposes for
which it is to be maintained, and shall be accompanied by the written
approval of the local municipal and health authorities showing compliance
with the local and state rules and regulations governing location
of and sanitation at such establishments.
Any person holding a license shall not be required to secure
individual licenses for dogs owned by a licensee and kept at the establishments;
the licenses shall not be transferable to another owner or different
premises.
A.
All licenses issued for a kennel, pet shop, shelter, or pound shall
state the purpose for which the establishment is maintained, and all
licenses shall expire on the last day of June of each year, and be
subject to revocation by the Township on recommendation of the Somerset
County Health Department or the local board of health for failure
to comply with the rules and regulations of the county department
or local board governing the same, after the owner has been afforded
a hearing by either the county department or local board.
B.
The license for a pet shop shall be subject to review by the Township,
upon recommendation by the County Department of Health or the local
health authority for failure by the pet shop to comply with the rules
and regulations of the county department or local health authority
governing pet shops or if the pet shop meets the criteria for recommended
suspension or revocation, after the owner of the pet shop has been
afforded a hearing.
C.
The Township, based on the criteria for the recommendation of the
local health authority provided in this section, may suspend the license
for 90 days or may revoke the license if it is determined at the hearing
that the pet shop:
The Township may issue a license for a pet shop that permits
the pet shop to sell pet supplies for all types of animals, including
cats and dogs, and sell animals other than cats and dogs but restricts
the pet shop from selling cats or dogs, or both.
Every pet shop licensed in the Township shall submit to the
Township annually and no later than May 1 of each year records of
the total number of cats and dogs, respectively, sold by the pet shop
each year, and the Township shall provide this information to the
local health authority.
No dog kept in a kennel, pet shop, shelter or pound shall be
permitted off such premises, except on leash or in a crate or other
safe control.
