DOGS AND CATS LICENSING INFORMATION

Licensing Requirements

A.         Dogs

B.         Cats

Late Licensing Fees

A.         Dogs

Fees for licenses issued after February 1 of each year shall include those license and registration tag fees set forth herein.  In addition thereto, a late fee shall be imposed as follows:

The aforementioned late licensing fee shall not apply to dogs which have been acquired by the owner after February 1, provided that the license is acquired within 30 days of acquisition. The owner, however, shall present sufficient proof to establish the date upon which the dog was acquired. 

B.         Cats

Fees for licenses issued after March 31 of each year shall include those license and registration tag fees set forth herein.  In addition thereto, a late fee shall be imposed as follows:

The aforementioned late licensing fee shall not apply to cats which have been acquired by the owner after April 1, provided that the license is acquired within 30 days of acquisition. The owner, however, shall present sufficient proof to establish the date upon which the cat was acquired. 

Licensing Exemptions

Any dog or cat may be exempted from the licensing requirements in the following cases:

A.         If the dog or cat is maintained entirely indoors during its life and when taken outdoors for transport, is contained in a cage or carrier.  This exemption does not apply to an animal that is walked on a leash or allowed outside in a fenced in area or to any animal that has escaped.

B.         If the cat is maintained on a Farm.

Waiver of Fees

The Township may provide a waiver of the fees to those Owners who meet the following criteria:

A.         Are totally disabled according to the provisions of the federal Social Seurity Act, 42 U.S.C. § 301 et seq. or disabled under any federal law administered by the United Stated Department of Veterans Affairs if the disability is rated as 60% or higher;

B.         The person is annually eligible to receive assistance under the “Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled” (PAAD) program P.L. 1975, c. 194 (C. 30:4D-20 et seq.); or

C.         Has a total income not in excess of $10,000 per year exclusive of benefits under any one of the following:

i.          The federal Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §301 et seq. and all amendments and supplements thereto;

ii.         Any other program of the federal government or pursuant to any other federal law which provides benefits in whole or in part in lieu of benefits referred to in, or for persons excluded from coverage under subsection a. of this section including, but not limited to, the federal “Railroad Retirement Act of 1974,” 45 U.S.C. §231 et seq., and federal pension, disability and retirement programs; or

iii.        Pension, disability or retirement programs of any state or its political subdivisions, or agencies thereof, for persons not covered under subsection A of this section except that, the total amount of benefits to be allowed exclusion by any owner under subsection B or C of this section shall not be in excess of the maximum amount of benefits payable to, and allowable for exclusion by, an Owner in similar circumstances under subsection A of this section.

Licenses not to be issued to minors

No license to own, keep or harbor a dog or cat in the Township shall be issued to or in the name of a minor. 

Rabies vaccination required; exemptions

A.         Any person who shall own, keep or harbor a dog or cat shall procure and possess a licensed veterinarian's certificate indicating that such dog or cat has been inoculated against rabies with a vaccine approved by the State Department of Health and setting forth the date of such inoculation and the duration of immunity. The certificate of inoculation shall be exhibited to the dog/cat licensing official of the municipality when application for a dog or cat license is made. No dog/cat licensing official shall grant a dog or cat license until said veterinarian's certificate is shown in evidence as proof of rabies inoculation. Said certification shall also be produced by any person owning, keeping or harboring a dog or cat upon the request of any dog/cat licensing enforcement official. 

B.         The dog/cat licensing official may grant an exception to the requirement that a veterinarian's certificate be presented prior to issuance of a dog or cat license when the dog or cat is in the custody of the Township Animal Control Division for failure to have a valid dog or cat license. The owner shall be permitted to obtain from the dog/cat licensing official at the request of the Animal Control Officer a temporary dog or cat license which will allow release of the dog or cat from the Animal Control Division to permit the owner to obtain a veterinarian's certificate of rabies inoculation as specified in Subsection A above. The dog or cat owner shall have the dog or cat inoculated and present a veterinarian's certificate to the dog/cat licensing official within 10 days of issuance of the temporary license. The Department of Animal Control shall be responsible for insuring that the owner complies with this requirement.

C.         The dog/cat licensing official may grant exemption to the rabies inoculation requirement: 

(1)       Upon presentation to the licensing enforcement official of a veterinarian's certificate stating that, because of an infirmity, other physical condition or regimen of therapy, the inoculation of such dog or cat shall be deemed inadvisable. 

(2)       Dogs or cats in veterinary hospitals, kennels, pet shops, pounds or shelters, dogs in transit or dogs or cats brought into the state temporarily for the sole purpose of showing in dog or cat shows or exhibitions.    

 

 

 

 

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