[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough
of Woodstown 4-27-1993 as Ord.
No. 463. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to provide reasonable regulations
for the control, care and maintenance of cats in the Borough of Woodstown.
It is recognized by the Mayor and Council that cats are generally
excellent pets, but they can become a nuisance if not properly maintained.
This chapter is not intended to impair, restrict or otherwise interfere
with the relationship that exists between owners and their pets; however,
it is necessary that these owners exercise responsibility in the care
and maintenance of their animals so that other residents in the Borough
of Woodstown are not offended or unreasonably inconvenienced.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A cat of any age which shall be left unattended, unclaimed,
unlicensed or at large for a period of 72 hours or more.
Any animal of a feline species.
Every person having a property right in a cat and every person
keeping, harboring or feeding a cat for more than 48 hours. This provision
shall not include a person who keeps or feeds a cat on behalf of an
owner at the owner's request to accommodate the owner's temporary
needs.
An individual, firm, partnership, corporation or association
of persons.
A cat that causes damage to public or private property or
causes harm to any person.
A cat having no known owner or custodian.
A.
License requirements. No person shall own, keep, harbor or maintain
any cat over seven months of age within the Borough of Woodstown,
unless such cat is licensed. The provisions of this section do not
apply to cats held by a state or federal licensed research facility,
a veterinary establishment or a licensed animal shelter, pound, kennel
or pet shop. No cat may be licensed without proof of vaccination as
detailed below.
B.
Vaccination. All cats shall be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian in accordance with the recommendations for immunization published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, except as provided in Subsection C.
C.
Exemptions. Any cat may be exempted from vaccination requirements
for a specified period by the Local Board of Health upon presentation
of a veterinarian's certificate stating that because of an infirmity
or other physical condition, the inoculation of such cat is not medically
appropriate.
[Amended 12-11-07 by Ord. No. 2007-18; 2-23-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-6]
All cat licenses shall be issued by the Municipal Clerk or such
other person as may be designated by the Mayor and Council for the
Borough of Woodstown. All licenses shall be issued with a registration
number, and a record of such issuance shall be maintained. A license
may only be issued after a completed application is received along
with all required fees. The licensing fee shall be $18, which fee
is allocated as $17 for the license and $1 for registration and the
registration tag. The registration tag shall then be attached to a
collar to be worn and maintained by the individual cat for whom the
license was issued whenever such cat shall be outdoors. Any person
who presents a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian stating
that the cat has been spayed or neutered shall be entitled to a reduction
of $3 of the license fee for each annual renewal. All licenses and
fees required by this section shall be purchased before the last day
in January in each year. No license shall be granted for a period
exceeding one year, and no license shall be transferable. Persons
applying for a license or renewal after the last day of January shall
pay the full license and registration fee, regardless of the number
of months remaining in the year.
A.
The owner of any cat of at least seven months of age shall obtain
a license tag for such cat and cause the tag to be readily displayed
upon the cat within 10 days. The provisions of this section shall
not apply to nonresident cat owners passing through the borough, nor
shall it apply to the owners of any cat brought to the borough for
the purpose of veterinary treatment or exhibition in a cat show.
B.
Any person seeking a license shall complete an application form to
be supplied by the Municipal Clerk. The completed license application
shall set forth the particular cat's breed, sex, age, color, markings
and whether or not it is of the long-haired or short-haired variety.
The application shall also set forth the name, street and post office
address of the owner and/or the person who shall keep or harbor the
cat. The application and the registration number issued for the cat
shall be preserved for a period of three years by the Municipal Clerk
or other local official designated to license cats in the Borough
of Woodstown.
C.
A late fee of $10 shall be charged for any payment made after the last day of May in each year for the license required in Subsection A above.
[Amended 2-23-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-6]
D.
Any person owning, maintaining or harboring a cat shall produce licensing
proof whenever requested by a health official, police officer, animal
control officer or other person officially authorized by the Borough
of Woodstown.
No cat shall be sheltered, maintained or harbored that is not
domesticated. The area where cats are kept shall be clean and sanitary
and shall not create a disturbance by reason of noise, odor or other
causes. No person shall abandon any cat or permit a cat in his custody
to become a stray.
