Middle Township to Create Animal Welfare Advisory Board

COURT HOUSE – The Middle Township Committee will introduce a new ordinance during its March 17 meeting that will enable the Township to create an Animal Welfare Advisory Board. The board will be comprised of Township residents who have expressed an interest in promoting and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of animals in the Township. An initial task of the Board will be to consider proposed ordinance changes to prevent pets from being subjected to extreme weather conditions.
“The creation of an Animal Welfare Advisory Board in a diverse community like Middle Township is simply the right thing to do”, said Middle Township Mayor Tim Donohue. “This board will help promote the well-being of domestic and companion animals through our community while providing essential information to the Middle Township Department of Animal Control on various safety and quality of life issues”.
The board will work to promote responsible pet care and to ensure that pets do not suffer due to abuse, neglect, or lack of proper care. The ordinance is expected to establish a board consisting of the Middle Township Animal Control Officer, a local veterinarian, a liaison from the Middle Township Police Department, a secretary, and seven voting members. A chairperson of the board will be selected by the Township Committee. The chairperson and three members will serve three year terms on the board; the remaining three members will serve two year terms. Several Township residents have expressed interest in serving on a proposed Animal Welfare Advisory Board.
Middle Township has a dedicated Department of Animal Control that exclusively serves the citizens of the Township. This winter, the Department is conducting a dog census throughout the Township that is mandated by the State of New Jersey every two years. In addition, the Department has conducted a public awareness campaign regarding the threat to domestic animals from dangerous winter weather.
Residents who are interested in serving on the Middle Township Animal Welfare Advisory Board may contact Dawn Stimmel, Administrative Secretary at (609) 465-8732 or via email at dstimmel@middletownship.com.