[Adopted 1-26-1994 (Ch. 12A of the
1969 Code)]
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Any member of the feline species, male or female.
Includes the person or persons owning, controlling, keeping
or harboring a cat.
Applies to any cat off and not on the premises of the owner.
A cat having no known owner, custodian or identification.
A.
All cats over the age of six months must receive a
rabies inoculation. The owner must retain appropriate documentation
from the inoculating veterinarian or rabies clinic indicating that
the cat in question has received said inoculation. Such documentation
must be made available to any agent or employee of the Township of
Colts Neck charged with the responsibility of controlling or regulating
animals upon request by said agent or employee. Any cat which has
not been inoculated or is not exempt from inoculation pursuant to
the terms of this article is subject to confiscation by agents and
employees of the Township of Colts Neck. Any cat confiscated shall
be impounded and can only be reclaimed by the owner after the owner
tenders payment of all fees attendant upon the confiscation and impoundment
of said animal, together with payment of the inoculation required
by this article.
B.
The inoculation required by this article shall be
performed by a duly licensed veterinarian of the State of New Jersey
or by such other persons as may be permitted to inoculate animals
pursuant to the laws of the State of New Jersey. The vaccination used
must be of the type approved by the United States government agency
responsible for such licensing procedures. Each cat shall be inoculated
against rabies annually unless the veterinarian's certificate required
by this article indicates a longer period of effectiveness for the
inoculation.
C.
Exemptions to the rabies inoculation requirement.
The following cats are exempt from the rabies inoculation requirement:
(1)
A cat which has not attained the age of six months.
(2)
Any cat upon presentation of a veterinarian's certificate
stating that, because of an infirmity or other physical condition
or regimen of therapy, the inoculation of such cat shall be deemed
inadvisable by the Department of Health.
(3)
Cats in veterinary hospitals, kennels, pet shops,
pounds or shelters, cats in transit or cats brought into the township
temporarily for the sole purpose of showing in cat shows or exhibitions.
A.
Any cat seized and impounded pursuant to the provisions
of this article will be retained at the animal pound for seven days
from the date of seizure. If, after the seven-day period specified
in this article, the animal is unclaimed, the Animal Control Officer
or any person designated by him or her may cause the cat so impounded
to be destroyed or disposed of in the manner provided for by the New
Jersey Animal Control Act, Title 8, Chapter 23, Subchapter 23, Rules
and Regulations Governing the Sanitary Conduct and Operation of Kennels,
Pet Shops, Shelters and Pounds.
B.
The owner or any person having lawful rights to any
impounded cat shall be entitled to redeem said cat upon furnishing
satisfactory evidence of such ownership to the Animal Control Officer.
Any cat so redeemed must receive a rabies inoculation or, in the alternative,
the person claiming the animal must submit proof that the animal has
received a rabies inoculation.
C.
Any person redeeming any cat seized pursuant to the
terms of this article shall pay a redemption fee of $25 to the Township
of Colts Neck and shall be responsible for all charges levied by the
pound.
[Amended 10-8-1997; 3-8-2006]
A violation of any provision of this article shall be punishable as provided in § 1-9 of this Code.
