Code of the City of Camden, New Jersey, v102; Part II General Legislation; Chapter 210, Dogs and Other Animals

Spay/Neuter Ordinance

ARTICLE IV Spaying or Neutering of Dogs and Cats [Adopted 4-25-1996 by Ord. No. MC-3203]

§210-39. Spaying or neutering required. [Amended 8-5-1999 by Ord. No. MC-3502]

It shall be unlawful to own, possess or keep in the City any dog or cat over the age of six months that has not been spayed or neutered, except as provided in §210-40 of this article.

§210-40. Exceptions.

The above prohibition shall not apply in the following situations:

Statement of veterinarian. If a licensed veterinarian states, in writing, that an animal is unfit to undergo the required surgical procedure because of an extreme health condition of the animal. Such extreme health conditions shall include, but not be limited to; severe cardiovascular comprise, bleeding disorder, respiratory disease and hepatic disease. The old age of an animal shall not, of itself, constitute an extreme health condition for purposes of this section.
(Reserved) Editor's Note: Former Subsection B, pertaining to permits for unspayed or unneutered pets, was repealed 12-4-2003 by Ord. No. 3886.
If an animal is temporarily in the City to participate in a show or event sponsored by a nonprofit, sanctioned animal organization.
If an animal is owned, possessed or kept in the City for fewer than 30 days in a one-year period. However, the owner must show proof of ownership and residency in a town other than the City with a valid, up-to-date dog or cat (if applicable) license and other.
§210-41. Intentional or accidental breeding; seizure of litter.

In the event of intentional or accidental breeding, the entire litter shall be turned over after weaning (eight weeks) to a City-approved humane society/animal shelter. The adult animal shall be spayed within 10 weeks after birth of the litter.

§210-41.1. Breeding for sale or distribution. [Added 8-5-1999 by Ord. No. MC-3502]

Any person who breeds animals for sale or distribution to other persons shall obtain the license required by §332-3 of the Camden Code and shall pay the mercantile business fee provided by Chapters 332 and 343 of said Code.

§210-42. Violations and penalties.

Any person who violates this article shall be subject to punishments as outlined in the Code of the City of Camden adopted 1986. Editor's Note: See §1-16, Violations and penalties.

§210-43. Issuance of permits. [Amended 3-22-2001 by Ord. No. MC-3643]

The permits authorized under this article shall be issued by the Municipal Clerk.

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No-Chaining Ordinance

ARTICLE V, Chaining or Tethering of Animals [Adopted 1-11-2001 by Ord. No. MC-3625]


§ 210-44. Restraint and confinement to property.


A. Restraint on caretakers', guardians' or handlers' property, be it owned, leased, rented or otherwise. Caretakers, guardians or handlers of animals will exercise diligence and reasonable care to prevent animal(s) from leaving their premises. Restraint exists when the animal(s) is:


(1) Enclosed and properly provided for (N.J.S.A. 4:22-17) within a house, building, properly maintained fence, pen or other enclosure. Pens or other enclosures for each animal weighing 35 pounds or more must measure at least 150 square feet in size, be eight feet in height and be soundly constructed of chain link or similar type materials. Pens and enclosures for animals weighing less than 35 pounds may be downsized according to mathematical numerators and denominators. The pen or enclosure shall be properly maintained, kept free of the animal's waste materials, other trash and be sanitized on a daily basis. Clean, potable water shall be available at all times and must not be allowed to freeze over. Foods shall be made available at least once every 24 hours, or, in the case of juvenile animals, at least twice every 24 hours. Food and water dishes shall be sanitized on a daily basis. A soundly constructed, adequately sized and properly positioned and maintained dwelling (i.e., dog house) must be made available for the animal within the pen or enclosure. The top of the pen or enclosure shall be covered with materials to provide the animal with shade and protection from the elements.


(2) On a leash held by a competent person over the age of 16.

B. Restraint while off the caretakers', guardians' or handlers' property, be it owned, leased, rented or otherwise. Caretakers, guardians or handlers of animals will exercise diligence and reasonable care to keep animal(s) under restraint while off the caretakers', guardians' or handlers' premises. Restraint exists when the animal is:


(1) Temporarily inside a vehicle, parked or in motion, with a licensed driver in attendance.


(2) Temporarily inside a vehicle, parked or in motion, with a licensed driver in attendance in a securely fastened cage or animal carrier with adequate ventilation and large enough to allow room for the animal to stand and turn around without touching the sides or top of the cage or carrier.


(3) Confined and properly provided for (N.J.S.A. 4:22-17) within a house or building or secure enclosure with permission of the occupant of the property where the animal is temporarily located.


(4) On a leash held by a competent person over the age of 16.

§ 210-45. Unlawful to chain or tether animals.


Animals shall not be chained, tied, fastened or otherwise tethered to dog houses, trees, stakes, poles, fences, walls, or any other stationary objects outdoors or indoors as a means of confinement for more than two consecutive hours in any twenty-four-hour period.

§ 210-46. Violations and penalties.


Any person who violates this article shall be subject to the following punishment:


A. First offense: fine of $25.


B. Second offense: fine of $50.


C. Third offense: fine of $150 and seizure and impoundment of animal(s) by an animal control officer, police officer, sheriff or humane society official who shall leave at the place of seizure and impoundment a conspicuous notice indicating the animal(s) has been seized and impounded and the address and phone number where the animal(s) is impounded. Further, notice shall be given that the impounding agency shall be compensated for costs incurred. The animal(s) may be released from the impounding agency when evidence exists that proper restraint provisions have been put into place and/or are in place within seven days. The impoundment agency shall take permanent possession of the animal(s) if the caretakers, guardians or handlers fail to provide proper restraint within the seven-day period and/or pending a court hearing.