This bill requires all municipalities in New Jersey to establish a municipal animal control program that provides essential animal control services and enforces state laws regarding animal control and cruelty. Each municipality must prioritize funding for these programs and appoint a municipal health officer to oversee their implementation and compliance. The health officer will coordinate with certified animal control officers, shelters, and veterinarians, and is responsible for quarterly reporting to both the municipal governing body and the State Office of Veterinary Public Health. The Department of Health (DOH) will oversee these municipal programs and address complaints that are not resolved locally.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the inclusion of a homeless cat program within each municipal animal control program, detailing management and care for homeless cats. It establishes a grant program administered by the DOH to assist municipalities with associated costs, with an initial allocation of $500,000. The bill also allows the State Office of Veterinary Public Health to intervene in municipal contracts for private animal control services if municipalities fail to meet contract requirements, particularly in cases of funding shortages. For permitted cat colonies, the bill specifies that care must be assigned to vetted individuals or animal rescue representatives, ensuring proper veterinary care and management. The DOH is granted the authority to create rules and regulations for consistent enforcement of animal control measures statewide.