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. Municipalities are mandated to 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 programs and address complaints that are not resolved locally.

Additionally, the bill introduces a homeless cat program for each municipality, which may include the impoundment, care, and management of cat colonies. The DOH is tasked with creating grant programs to support municipalities, with an initial funding allocation of $500,000. The legislation also empowers 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. The bill outlines specific care requirements for permitted cat colonies, including the management of unear-tipped cats, and grants the DOH the authority to establish regulations for consistent enforcement of animal control measures statewide.