[Adopted 7-8-2015 by Ord.
No. 2015-007]
The purpose of the Barnegat Light Trap-Neuter-Return Program
is to reduce the population of feral cats, benefitting public health,
improving the quality of life for Borough residents, and enduring
the humane treatment of feral cats.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any agency or person, including an Animal Control Officer,
authorized by law to implement animal control laws and provide animal
care and control on behalf of the Borough.
Any charitable organization whose purpose includes the promotion
of animal welfare and that has been granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
by the Internal Revenue Service.
Any person who regularly provides food and water to a feral
cat colony.
A method of identifying a feral or stray cat by a notched
or tipped left ear, as performed by a licensed veterinarian.
A cat that is not socialized to humans and is not an owned
cat.
A group of feral or stray cats that congregate, more or less,
together as a unit and share a common food source.
A household in which a cat or kitten is temporarily placed
for the purpose of providing indoor shelter, care and, if necessary,
socialization before permanent placement in an adoptive home.
Conduct by feral or stray cats that disturbs the peace, including
habitually or continually howling or making loud noises, and habitually
and significantly destroying property.
A cat that is a companion to a person, is regularly fed and
sheltered in the same person's habitation and carries visible indicia
of ownership, including a collar or tag.
A structure that provides feral and stray cats with protection
from cold, rain and other weather-related elements.
Any animal welfare organization that agrees to comply with
the requirements of sponsorship set forth in this article.
A cat that is socialized to humans and is not an owned cat.
The method of managing feral and stray cats known as "trap-neuter-return."
A program pursuant to which feral and stray cats are trapped,
sterilized, vaccinated against rabies, eartipped, returned to the
location where they were captured and provided with long-term care
by a caretaker in accordance with this article.
A.
A TNR Program shall be permitted and caretakers shall be entitled
to maintain feral cat colonies in accordance with the terms and conditions
of this article.
B.
Sponsorship of TNR Program. Friends of Southern Ocean County Animal
Shelter, Inc., agrees to comply with the requirements of this article
and shall act as a sponsor of the TNR Program and shall provide the
Borough with a written letter of intention containing its address,
telephone number and electronic mailing address.
D.
Caretaker requirements. It shall be the responsibility of a caretaker
to:
(1)
Make reasonable efforts to work with the sponsor to trap all cats
in a colony and have all trapped cats sterilized, vaccinated against
rabies, microchipped and eartipped by a licensed veterinarian;
(2)
Provide or arrange for the provision of adequate food and water on
a regular basis and make reasonable efforts to ensure adequate shelter
for colony cats;
(3)
In the event kittens are born to a colony cat, the caregiver shall
take reasonable steps likely to result in the removal of kittens from
the colony after they have been weaned, and the placement of the kittens
in homes or foster homes for the purpose of subsequent permanent placement;
(4)
Make reasonable efforts to work with the sponsor to resolve any complaints
over colony cats managed by the caretaker;
(5)
Obtain proper medical attention to any colony cat that appears to
require it.
E.
Disposition of colony cats. An animal control service that has trapped
or received an eartipped cat from within the Borough can immediately
return that cat to the sponsor or caregiver colony versus impounding
the cat at the shelter.
