[Adopted 6-3-2021 by Ord. No. 2021:12]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meaning indicated:
Cats and dogs.
Any person or agency, appointed by the Township, who is designated
or certified by the State of New Jersey per N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.16b to
enforce the provisions of this article.
An individual or group of individuals who, with or without
salary or compensation, house, provide necessary medical care for
and feed displaced homeless or unlicensed animals in a home or facility,
with the intent of placing the animals in permanent homes as soon
as one becomes available.
Any establishment where cats or other animals are received,
housed and adopted out, but not a pet resale store.
A member of the species Felis catus.
Any cat, which may or may not be feral, reaching the age
of seven months or, if the age cannot be determined, a cat which possesses
a set of permanent adult teeth.
The act of any individual or group of individuals or organizations
approved by a municipalities' ACO, or TNR program, to accumulate and
maintain a community cat colony.
Any free-roaming or community cat in a managed community
cat colony.
An individualized or group action plan for a colony cat or
a community cat colony.
Any free-roaming or colony cat which may or may not be feral,
with a caretaker known or unknown. Community cats shall be distinguished
through a written intake-outtake tracking system when initially identified
and trapped for sterilization and ear tipping.
Any person who, in accordance with the community cat management/TNR
program, will work with the community cat manager to trap, sterilize,
vaccinate for rabies and distemper, ear-tip then return to free-roaming
cats or feral cats to the area in which they were trapped. A caregiver
shall not be considered an owner of a community cat. A caregiver shall
not possess, keep or harbor a community cat outside of any ordinance
or TNR management program parameters.
Any single community cat or group of community cats that
congregate together, outside as a unit. Any nonferal cat(s) that congregate
with a colony shall be deemed part of it.
Any approved individual, volunteer or organization known,
who engages in the trapping, neutering and returning (TNR) a community
cat to a colony. Management of the colony shall include, but not be
limited to, trapping, sterilizing, vaccinating, ear-tipping, returning
a community cat to its colony of origin, from which it was trapped.
The approved manager(s) shall also ensure caregiver provides continuous
adequate clean and sanitary food and water (feeding station) as advised
by the current Animal Control and TNR management guidelines.
Daily cleaned and sanitized individual per cat metal meal bowls;
and
Consistent and responsible approved daily feeding schedules
to take place before sundown and after sunup of each day; and
Daily and consistent access to clean sanitary water in a metal
bowl; and
Approved sheltering for the managed colony; and
Clear direction for an individualized action plan and long-term
rehoming plan for each community cat within the colony; and
Responsible reporting to Animal Control and TNR management per
cat status. Residents shall obtain an open ticket from Animal Control
or a TNR management program when reporting a community cat that shall
enter the intake system for community cats; and
Assuming temporary custody of the community cat within the colony,
from time to time, may be approved in order to provide adequate care;
and
Assuming transportation and attendance responsibility for medical
appointments and maintenance of but not limited to medical, pest control
and vaccinations of each community colony cat.
The straight line cutting (for former TNR identification
purposes) of the tip of the cat's left ear, while the cat is anesthetized
for spay and neuter.
An approved location maintained within 15 feet of any proper
shelter, with daily cleaned and sanitized individual per cat metal
meal bowls; and
Consistent and responsible approved daily feeding schedules
to take place before sundown and after sunup of each day; and
Access to clean sanitary water in a metal bowl; and
Approved by a municipalities' ACO or TNR management program.
An unsocialized or undomesticated free-roaming feline with
a temperament consisting of fear or resistance to human contact. Feral
cats are considered community cats.
An approved animal rescue organization (individual or group)
providing temporary care for a cat, without the approved caregiver
assuming ownership, and with the intent that the caregiver relinquishes
the cat to the animal rescue organization or suitable owner upon one
being located in formulation to the cat's action plan.
Placement location of a cat by an animal rescue organization
(individual or group), for the purpose of providing temporary care
for a cat, without the approved caretaker assuming ownership, and
with the intent that the caretaker relinquishes the cat to the animal
rescue organization or suitable owner upon one being located in formulation
to the cat's action plan.
The act of caring for or keeping an animal or cat; or the
act of providing a premises or residence to which an animal or cat
returns for food, shelter or care, where the caregiver is providing
the primary source of sustenance for the animal or cat. Community
cat caregivers do not harbor community cats for the purpose of this
article but are subject to provisions of the ordinance pertaining
to community cats and approved community cat colony management.
An electric identification device inserted into an animal
or cat in accordance to professional medical standards.
To have a licensed veterinarian surgically sterilize an animal
or cat.
Disturbing the peace by:
Habitually or continually howling, crying or screaming.
The habitual and significant destruction, desecration or soiling
of property against the wishes of the owner of the property.
Habitual trespassing upon public or private grounds.
No person shall keep an animal on a property in a manner that
causes one or more of the following: unsanitary conditions; foul odors;
infestation by insects or rodents; or physical conditions that endanger
the health or safety of humans or other animals.
No person shall maintain or feed any animal, domesticated or
wild, in a manner that causes one or more of the following: unsanitary
conditions; foul odors; infestation by insects or rodents; or physical
conditions that endanger the health or safety of humans.
Any authorized person, household, firm, corporation, or other
organization who, with authorized paperwork or a registered microchip
proving identity (except a foster home), and ownership or possesses
a legal title to a property interested in, or permanent custody of
an animal or cat, regulated by this article. A person must be of legal
age 18 or older to be considered a legal owner of the animal. If the
person under the age 18 is considered the custodian or caretaker of
the animal or cat, the parent or legal guardian shall be the legal
owner of the animal. A community cat caregiver is not an owner of
community cats for the purposes of this article.
A location where an animal or cat is placed in the care and
custody of an owner.
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, cats or other
animals seized or captured, by municipality, ACO or the agent of a
municipality under this article, or otherwise. The term is often applied
to the municipal animal control facility or a private or nonprofit
animal shelter that contracts with one or more municipalities to hold
such animals.
Any volunteer organization who submits a proposal that is
approved by the Township to oversee the management of a community
cat colony and works in conjunction with the caregiver towards maintenance
of the colony, including record management for each member of each
colony. Any additional organizations who wish to be identified as
a community cat manager must submit a proposal to the Township Community
Animal Control Liaison for approval. Once authorized, the secondary
community cat manager must maintain identical record keeping and collaborate
with the primary cat management group. All community cat managers
shall communicate directly with the ACO and Township Liaison.
A structure that:
Is sufficiently ventilated and insulated to protect an animal
or cat from weather and provide refuge from precipitation, wind, extreme
temperature an/or direct sunlight; and
Is fully enclosed with walls on three sides, with a fourth wall
having an entranceway large enough to allow the animal or cat to enter
or exit comfortably, but not so large as to allow heat to escape in
cold temperatures; and
Has a solid, waterproof roof that will not accumulate rainwater
or equipped with proper drainage as to prevent rainwater collection
or stagnation; and
Has a solid floor that does not sag under the animal's weight;
and
Has a door, six-inch protruding tunnel or flap covering the
entranceway during temperatures of 40° or below; and
Is positioned at a sufficient elevation to prevent water from
running into the structure or accumulating in or around the structure;
and
Is small enough to retain the animal or cats body heat in cold
weather and large enough for the animal or cat to stand, turn around,
and lay down comfortably; and
Is sturdy, structurally sound and in good repair; and
If the structure contains bedding, such bedding shall be clean
and dry (consisting of straw for community cats); and
Is surrounded by an area of at least five feet that is clear
of debris, feces and/or urine; and
Is placed by an area of at least 15 feet away from any managed
or colony cat colony cat feeding station.
The act of removing an animal or cat from a temporary home
to a permanent home.
A physical injury that results in one or more broken bones
or faulty limbs, or one or more lacerations requiring sutures, or
an injury requiring surgical care.
Any animal or cat found to be at-large, whether lost by its
owner or otherwise, or that is in or around any common area and or
does not have an identification tag, or for which there is no identifiable
owner. The term stray shall not be applied to any community cat managed
in accordance with this article.
Access to uncontaminated, palatable food, appropriate for
a species of animal or cat, on a regular, ongoing basis in quantities
sufficient to maintain regular body weight as determined by Purina
body score system or veterinarian. Food, feeding stations and feeding
utensils or canisters shall be permitted under approval of a TNR management
program managing a community cat or community cat colony.
Access to clean, potable water on a regular and ongoing basis
in quantities sufficient to prevent the cat from experiencing dehydration.
Watering stations canisters and or utensils shall be permitted under
approval of a TNR management program.
Location of a cat by an animal rescue organization (individual
or group), for the purpose of providing temporary care for a cat,
without the approved caretaker assuming ownership, and with the intent
that the caretaker relinquishes the cat to the animal rescue organization
or suitable owner upon one being located in formulation to the cat's
action plan.
Trap-neuter-return.
A program pursuant to which community cats, feral and stray
cats are humanely trapped, spayed, neutered, vaccinated against rabies
and distemper, microchipped registered and returned to the location
in which they were trapped.
Individual employed by the Township who will serve as a point
of contact with both the Animal Control Officer and community cat
managers. Any complaints regarding animals to the municipal offices
will be filtered through the liaison and disseminated to the appropriate
entity. All reporting by both the ACO and CCM will be directed to
the attention of the liaison.
Any trap used to capture cats and designed for cats that
is constructed so that it does not harm the animal or cat and that
is regularly monitored.
An individual who is licensed to engage in the practice of
veterinary medicine in the state of New Jersey.
Community cat colonies shall be permitted, and caregivers shall
be entitled to maintain them, in accordance with the terms and conditions
of this article. Pennsauken believes that the safest place for pet
domesticated cats is indoors. Pennsauken also recognizes that feral
and community cats as defined in this article are not, in the majority
of cases, suitable pets to be taken indoors. Pennsauken further recognizes
the need for innovation in addressing the pressing issues presented
by feral or community cats. Pennsauken finds that properly managed
cat colonies are part of the solution to reducing the numbers of community
cats in Pennsauken and the rate of costly euthanasia and housing in
the county animal shelters. Managed community cat colonies shall be
permitted in Pennsauken as part of a community cat management/TNR
program in accordance with an approved TNR program manager to develop
community cat management plans.
A.
A person or group shall be prohibited from the following:
(1)
Owning, harboring, keeping or having charge of more than a total
of four cats or dogs, except for kennels, pet shops, colony cat caretakers
or by consent of the municipality.
B.
No person shall keep an animal on a property in a manner that causes
one or more of the following: unsanitary conditions; infestation by
insects or rodents; or physical conditions that endanger the health
or safety of humans.
C.
No person shall maintain or feed any animal, domesticated or wild,
in a manner that causes one or more of the following: unsanitary conditions;
infestation by insects or rodents; or physical conditions that endanger
the health or safety of humans.
A.
Owners of animals shall provide for those animal's sufficient food,
sufficient water, proper shelter and protection from weather, sufficient
space for exercise, veterinary care as needed to prevent suffering,
grooming as needed to prevent suffering, and humane care and treatment.
B.
The owner of a domesticated animal shall exercise reasonable care
to guard against the animal creating a nuisance.
C.
The owner of a sexually intact (unneutered) domesticated animal shall
not permit his/her animal to roam unsupervised.
D.
An owner shall not abandon a domesticated animal in any private or
public place.
E.
An owner of a domesticated animal shall ensure that the animal is
not at-large.
Trapping of community cats, feral cats or free-roaming cats
by those who are not community cat caregivers, as defined in this
article, ACO employed by the municipality, members of law enforcement,
or a municipality authorized TNR Program is prohibited.
A.
Safe and humane trap(s) designed for cats that is constructed so
that it does not harm the animal or cat; and
B.
Humane uncontaminated, palatable food, appropriate for a species
of animal or cat to lure the animal or cat into the trap; and
C.
Constant monitoring of the trap during active trapping as to not
leave any animal or cat trap unattended for longer than thirty-minute
increments; and
D.
Traps shall not be left out unattended for any length of time in
temperatures below 45° F. or above 80° F.; in the rain or
snow or any extreme weather; and
E.
Proper trap covers to protect an animal or cat in active entrapment
in the event of inclement weather; and
F.
Clean and sanitized traps that will not harbor or transport cross-contamination
or infectious diseases.
G.
Trap rental
program. The Township through the TNR program and under the supervision
of the Animal Control Officer (ACO) shall provide resources to manage
the scheduling, distribution, and tracking of traps. This management
includes resident trap request forms, pick-up and drop off of reserved
traps for the TNR program. The Animal Control Officer (ACO) will verify
residency and communicate on trap use, protocols, policies, and trap
return instructions.
[Added 4-11-2022 by Ord. No. 2022:12]
H.
Fees.
In the event the trap is not returned or returned damaged or in an
unclean condition or unusable condition, the following fees shall
be assessed: $75 for a small trap and $90 for a large trap.
[Added 4-11-2022 by Ord. No. 2022:12]
Ear-tipped community cats should only be trapped by authorized
persons for the intent of seeking medical emergency treatment for
a severe injury, rehoming, updating vaccinations, microchip scanning
or if it is showing signs of rabies, infectious disease, or illness(s).
A.
Enforcement of community cat management initiative/TNR program. Pennsauken
shall have the following rights:
(1)
The right to seize or remove cats from a colony which have not been
vaccinated against rabies or distemper and/or are demonstrating signs
of illness or infectious disease.
(2)
The right to seize or remove a cat from a colony which is creating
a nuisance as defined in this article.
(3)
The right to seize or remove a cat or colony of cats when the community
caregiver regularly fails to comply with the care requirements of
this article.
No owner or person having temporary custody of an animal or
cat shall permit the animal or cat to be at large or unattended at
any time.
A cat shall be considered exempt from these provisions if:
Any persons or individuals found as responsible owner or caretaker
of an at-large animal or cat:
A.
No person may desert or abandon any animal or cat at any public or
private location. TNR practices, as outlined in this article, do not
constitute abandonment of an animal or cat. Any person found to be
in violation of these provisions shall be subject to a fine for each
offense.
Any person who violates any provision of this article shall
be subject to one or more of the following: a fine not exceeding $2,000
or imprisonment in the county jail for a term not exceeding 90 days,
or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days, in the discretion
of the Municipal Court Judge.
