[Adopted 10-17-2016 by Ord. No. 1265; amended in its entirety 6-24-2019 by Ord. No. 1357]
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, the 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 of the cat.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
Any person employed or appointed by the Township who is authorized to investigate violations of laws and regulations concerning animals and to issue citations in accordance with New Jersey Law and this chapter.
DOMESTICATED CAT
A cat that is socialized to humans and is appropriate as a companion to humans.
FERAL CAT
A cat which is completely or substantially unsocialized to humans. The usual and consistent temperament of a feral cat is extreme fear and resistance to contact with humans. Feral cats are:
A. 
Born in the wild;
B. 
Offspring of tame or feral cats and not socialized; or
C. 
Formerly tame cats who have been abandoned and have reverted to an untamed state.
FERAL CAT COLONY
A group of cats that congregate together outside as a unit. Although not every cat in a colony may be feral, any nonferal cats who congregate with a colony shall be deemed part of it.
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, fine, corporation, partnership, association, trust, estate, or any other legal entity.
RESCUE GROUP
A not-for-profit entity or 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 who 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 the owner.
SUITABLE SHELTER
Shelter that provides protection from rain, sun, and other elements that is adequate to protect the health of the cat.
TAME CAT
A cat who is socialized to humans and is appropriate as a companion for humans.
TNR
Trap, neuter and return.
TOWNSHIP
Little Falls Township in the County of Passaic.
Feral cat colonies are not permitted.
When an Animal Control Officer has trapped a feral cat, the officer shall take the cat to a shelter or holding facility and scan the cat for an EAID. If an EAID is found which further identifies the cat, the officer shall contact the person named as owner of the cat with this information.
The Township shall have the following rights:
A. 
The right to seize or remove cats from a feral colony which have not been vaccinated against rabies and which are demonstrating the disease.
B. 
The right to seize or remove a cat from a feral colony which is creating a nuisance as defined above, after the caregiver has been given 60 days to remove and relocate the cat and has failed to do so. The caregiver must begin nuisance abatement procedures within 48 hours after being notified of a nuisance by the Animal Control Officer and must take all reasonable steps to resolve the nuisance in as short a time period as possible, not to exceed 60 days.
C. 
The Township may designate, by resolution, a specific rescue group to assist with the enforcement for the purposes of adoption or placement of cats in homes with humans to serve as companion animals.
The requirements of this article notwithstanding, Animal Control Officers and police officers may investigate any nuisance complaint. If an Animal Control Officer or police officer determines that a feral colony cat is causing nuisance as defined by this article, the Animal Control Officer or police officer shall contact the owner of the property. The owner shall begin nuisance abatement procedures within 48 hours and make all reasonable efforts to resolve the nuisance in as short a time period as possible, not to exceed 60 days. If the owner fails to resolve the nuisance within 60 days, the Animal Control Officer may remove the colony. If an Animal Control Officer or police officer reasonably determines that cat or cats are injured or pose a significant threat to public health, the office may reduce the time that the owner has to resolve the complaint, as necessary to protect the cat and public health, before taking further action. In the case of an emergency, the Animal Control Officer or police officer may remove the cat or cats, but within 24 hours the Township must provide the owner with notice of the cat's whereabouts and allow the owner an opportunity to retrieve the cat for treatment, return, or relocation.
A. 
Owners of domesticated cats shall provide appropriate and adequate food, water, and shelter for their cats.
B. 
The owner of a domesticated cat shall exercise reasonable care to guard against the cat creating a nuisance.
C. 
The owner of a sexually intact (not spayed or neutered) domesticated cat shall not permit his/her cat to roam unsupervised.
D. 
An owner shall not abandon a domesticated cat.
A. 
Any person who refuses or fails to comply with any provision of this article shall be liable for the following penalties:
(1) 
Not less than $50 for the first offense.
(2) 
Not less than $100 for the second offense.
(3) 
Not less than $150 for the third offense.
B. 
Except as otherwise provided in this article, any person who continues to fail or refuses to comply with this article shall be liable for subsequent penalties of not more than $2,000 or imprisonment or community service for not more than 90 days, at the discretion of any judge hearing a complaint brought pursuant to this article.
To the extent any existing ordinance may conflict with any of the terms of this article, this article shall control.