NJ S2864

Mandates every New Jersey municipality establish a municipal animal control program that provides services, enforces state animal control and cruelty laws, and appoints a municipal health officer to oversee operations and report quarterly to the governing body and State Office of Veterinary Public Health.

Requires municipalities to appoint or contract sufficient certified animal control officers who must respond immediately to reports of stray, dangerous, or uncontrolled animals and conduct patrols at least twice weekly if by vehicle or foot.

Establishes Department of Health oversight requiring the State Office of Veterinary Public Health to review and approve municipal contracts with private animal control services, with authority to intervene if municipalities fail to comply with contract requirements.

Requires each municipality to implement a homeless cat program through ordinance or resolution, which may include impoundment, foster care, cat colony regulation with mandatory spay/neuter and ear-tipping, or humane euthanasia.

Appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Health for grants to municipalities to cover compliance costs, with DOH required to request additional funding annually and establish grant application procedures.