This bill requires all municipalities in New Jersey to establish a municipal animal control program that adheres to state laws regarding animal welfare and control. It mandates that municipalities prioritize funding for these programs and appoint a municipal health officer to oversee their implementation and coordination with various stakeholders, including certified animal control officers, shelters, and veterinarians. The health officer is responsible for ensuring compliance with state regulations and must provide quarterly reports to both the municipality and the State Office of Veterinary Public Health. The Department of Health (DOH) will oversee these municipal programs and handle unresolved complaints at the local level.

To assist municipalities, the bill introduces a grant program administered by the DOH with an initial funding of $500,000. It establishes protocols for addressing reports of animals that pose threats to public health or safety and allows for contracts with private animal control services to ensure compliance with state laws. The bill also mandates the inclusion of a homeless cat program within municipal animal control programs, detailing requirements for the management of cat colonies and the care of unear-tipped cats. The Department of Health is granted the authority to create rules and regulations to ensure consistent enforcement of these animal control measures statewide.