Hamilton, NJ Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Collar/tag for outdoor cats
- Mandatory, § 108-24
- Community cat colonies
- Private property only, with landowner consent
- Feeding hours
- 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- TNVR-compliant cat status
- Exempt from licensing/at-large rules
- Shelter retrieval window
- 7 business days before stray hold
Summary
Hamilton Township requires every free-roaming owned cat to wear a collar and tag, and it permits community cat colonies to be cared for on private property only under a formal Trap Neuter Vaccinate and Return program with sanitation, feeding-hour and sterilization rules, under §§ 108-24 and 108-25.
§ 108-24. Collar and tag of outdoor cats. Outdoor cats as defined in § 108-1 which are allowed to roam freely outdoors by their owners shall wear a collar and tag. ...C. TNVR program requirements: (1) Community cat colonies shall only be cared for on private property. (a) The location of community cat colonies must be cared for in compliance with trespassing and property laws. (b) Community cat caregivers must obtain permission from land owner(s) before caring for a cat colony on private land including but not limited to leased or multi-family residential property. (c) It is unlawful for any person to feed feral cats on any property owned by the Township of Hamilton unless provided prior written authorization by the Township of Hamilton.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4984352; v35 updated 2026-06-16; through 06-16-2026).
Full Breakdown
" Community, or feral, cats are handled separately under § 108-25's TNVR program. C(1)(c)). D(1)(a)). C(2)). F(1)). A. G).
Violations & Fines
Failing to license, collar and tag an outdoor cat under § 108-24, or letting a community cat colony create an unabated nuisance under § 108-25.F, is enforced under Chapter 1, § 1-2, Violations; penalties, per § 108-15, and the Township may terminate a caregiver's compliance period and seize a cat that is injured or poses a public-health threat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do outdoor cats need a collar and tag in Hamilton Township?
Can I feed a feral cat colony on Township property in Hamilton?
What hours can community cat feeding stations be out in Hamilton Township?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hamilton
Compare Hamilton to another location·View the New Jersey animal ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.