[Added 9-25-2025 by Ord. No. 25-24]
As used in this article and throughout this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CAT
Any member of the domestic feline species; male, female or neutered.
CAT OF LICENSING AGE
Any cat which has obtained the age of seven months or which possesses a set of permanent teeth.
FOSTER PLACEMENT
A temporary placement of six months or less in which a domestic animal resides while attempting to find permanent placement.
NEUTERED
Rendered permanently incapable of reproduction as certified by a licensed veterinarian.
OWNER
When applied to the proprietorship of a cat, shall include every person having a right of property in such cat and every person who harbors, feeds, or has such cat in his or her keeping.
A. 
Effective January 1, 2026, any member of the domestic feline species, whether male, female, or neutered, over seven months old shall be vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian and shall be licensed by the Borough of Garwood. The licensing authority is hereby designated as the Office of the Borough Clerk.
B. 
As a condition of licensing, all such cats shall be vaccinated against rabies per the latest "Compendium of Animal Rabies Vaccines and Recommendations for Immunization," published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians.
C. 
A certificate of vaccination shall be issued by the veterinarian to the owner of each animal vaccinated on a form recommended by the State of New Jersey. The certificate shall state the period of time during which the vaccination is deemed to be effective. A written certification of a licensed veterinarian indicating that the cat cannot be vaccinated due to age or infirmity shall be provided in place of the vaccination certificate.
D. 
This section does not apply to cats held in a cattery, foster placement, state or federal research facility, veterinary establishment where dogs or cats are kept for diagnostic, medical, surgical, or other treatments, or licensed animal shelters, pounds, kennels, or pet shops.
A. 
Any person who shall own, keep or harbor a cat of licensing age in the Borough shall effective January 1, 2026, immediately apply for and procure from the Borough Clerk a license and official metal registration tag for each such cat so owned, kept or harbored. A valid rabies certification must accompany registration and remain effective through October 31 of the current year to qualify for renewal.
B. 
Upon presentation to the Borough Clerk of a completed application, a certificate of vaccination (or certification of exception due to age/infirmity), along with the necessary fee, whether in person or by mail, the Borough Clerk shall issue a metal tag type license for said cat bearing a code number identifying such cat which shall be affixed to or worn on a collar by the cat at all times. Such tag shall also indicate the year of expiration of the license.
The application shall state the breed, sex, age, color, and markings of the cat for which a license is sought and whether it is a long or short-haired variety. Such application shall also state the name, street address and post office address of the owner. The information on said application and the license number for the cat shall be preserved for a period of three years by the Borough Clerk. Applications may be made in person or online using the forms provided by the Borough.
A. 
The fee for a cat license is hereby fixed at $10 if the animal is spayed or neutered and $13 if the animal is not spayed or neutered and such additional fee for the registration tag as provided for by state law. Each license and tag shall be renewed annually, with the corresponding fees payable on an annual basis.
B. 
There shall be an additional late fee of $5 for each cat license application/renewal not renewed by the last day of January each year.
C. 
Only one license and registration tag shall be required in any license year for any cat owned in New Jersey, and such license and tag issued by any other municipality shall be accepted by the Borough as evidence of compliance with this section.
Duplicate tags shall be issued upon proof satisfactory to the Borough Clerk of the loss of the original tag and the payment to the Borough Clerk of $5 for each duplicate tag.
The provisions of this article shall be enforced by any private citizen signing a formal complaint against such offender or by any member of the Board of Health, Garwood Police Department, or such other person who may be employed by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Garwood to exercise the duty and authority of animal control officer.
The Mayor and Council shall have the power to enter into a contract with one or more persons for the exercise of the duty and authority of the animal control officer to enforce the provisions of this article. Nothing contained in this section, however, shall be construed as limiting the duty or authority of the Chief of Police or any member of the Police Department to enforce the provisions of this article.
A. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to permit an unlicensed cat to be at large outside of a building occupied by such person. Any person who permits such a cat to be at large outside of a building shall be subject to a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $500, and the cat shall be subject to being picked up by the animal control authority of the municipality. In order to recover said cat, the owner shall be required to pay a fee levied by said authority and must also have the cat vaccinated and licensed as provided for in this article.
B. 
Upon conviction, any person who violates this article shall be fined no less than $50 or more than $500 for each offense. Each day the violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
An owner of a cat(s) who is unable or unwilling to provide care for an animal in their custody due to their arrest, eviction, hospitalization, or other circumstances outside of their control shall be required to pay all costs of sheltering, caring for, or treating any cat(s), including veterinary expenses, until that cat(s) is returned to its owner, forfeited, liberated, or disposed of. All costs are determined by the housing authority of such cat(s).