Animal Control
Winslow Township employs two full time Animal Control Officers. Animal Control Officers respond to a wide variety of calls. Their primary objective is public health and safety as well as the safe humane care of animals within Winslow Township. Animal Control can be contacted at 609-567-0700 Ext. 1500 or 1501 for complaints that do not require immediate attention. Any emergencies should be reported utilizing 911. We routinely handle stray dogs and stray/feral cats. All bites to humans or domestic animals are required to be reported to animal control and the health department. These bites can be from other domestic animals or wildlife. As required by the state we issue the bite and confinement orders and follow up to release the animals at the end of quarantine. We respond to animals struck and injured or deceased on the roads and provide the emergency transport to the vet’s office or contain and store the animals. Listed below are some frequently asked questions in regards to domestic and wildlife animals
Frequently Asked Questions
Dogs
Does my Dog need a license?
Yes, in accordance with NJ State law, all dogs over 7 months old in the State of New Jersey must be licensed. Licenses can be obtained through the Winslow Township Clerks Office. Licenses are issued for one calendar year and expire on December 31st of the corresponding year.
Can I leave my dog outside?
If a domesticated animal is to be kept outside there are specific requirements that must be met for the care of that animal. All of those requirements are detailed in section 81 of the Winslow Township Municipal Code. The Municipal Codes are available online on the township website.
Does my dog need to be on a leash?
Your dog must be on a leash if it is off of your property. If the dog is being walked in any public areas or any property that does not belong to you then they must be on a leash.
What are the requirements for cleaning up after my dog?
Whoever has care control or custody of the dog is required to immediately clean up the dog waste in any public areas. Dog Waste must be cleaned up regularly even on your own property due to the potential nuisance and health hazards.
My Neighbor is complaining about my dog barking?
A barking dog is a noise nuisance; therefore if your dog is barking for more than 10 minutes continuously or 30 minutes intermittently at any time of the day, you are in violation of the barking ordinance.
Cats
Does my cat need to be licensed?
Yes, Winslow Township has a cat licensing ordinance. Cat licenses can be obtained through the Winslow Township Clerks Office.
What do I do if I see a stray/feral cat?
Notify Animal Control so that the cat can be safely contained and transported to a shelter. Do not attempt to pick up or trap the cat yourself.
Should I feed stray/feral cats?
No, please notify animal control so the cats can be safely contained and transported to a shelter. By placing food out for the cats, you will encourage other cats to come into the area. Cats naturally colonize around a food source. There is also substantial disease risk that comes with numbers of unvaccinated animals coming together in close proximity.
Wildlife
General
Animal Control Officers do not generally respond to wildlife calls. Many indigenous animals such as squirrels, raccoons, chipmunks, opossums, skunks, coyotes, groundhogs, owls, vultures etc. can come into contact with humans. The fact that we share common areas of our homes leads to occasional conflicts. Some of these behaviors are trash picking, drinking out of yard ponds, digging in gardens and under sheds etc. As annoying as these behaviors are to the home owner, they are normal behavior of wildlife in a suburban environment. Animal Control Officers are not allowed to interfere with normal wildlife behavior. We do respond if the wildlife is in the living space of the house or the animal poses a threat to public health and safety.
So what do I do about nuisance wildlife?
You can take many steps to stop many of these behaviors such as keeping your trash in metal cans with the lids secure and keeping trash secured in a garage or shed until trash night. Please contact the Southern Regional Office of Fish and Wildlife to get specific information regarding the trapping and removal of nuisance wildlife. The contact number for Fish and Game is 856-629-0555. If a wildlife animal has gained access to your attic or any other area of your residence they can be removed by a wildlife removal company.
What do I do if I see sick or injured wildlife?
If you see an animal that you believe to be sick or injured please contact Animal Control immediately by calling the non-emergency number for the Winslow Township Police at 609-561-3300. Any sick or injured animal poses a potential threat to public health and safety. Animal Control will respond, and if needed contact NJ Fish and Wildlife.
ACO Badiacco can be reached at kbadiacco@winslowtownship.com
ACO Kavafes can be reached at Lkavafes@winslowtownship.com