Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ Animal Ordinances: Cat Rules (2026)

Cat rules in Parsippany-Troy Hills sit mainly in Chapter 91, Article V, the Trap Neuter Vaccinate Release program added 9-17-2019 by Ord. No. 2019:44. Its stated purpose in § 91-28 is reducing the population of feral and free-roaming cats, benefitting public health, improving the quality of life for residents and ensuring the humane treatment of community cats.

Section 91-30 makes feral cat colonies permitted and entitles caregivers to maintain them under the article. A community cat is a free-roaming, feral or barn cat with no discernible form of ownership identification. Under § 91-31, the program runs through Township Animal Control Services under the direction of the Animal Control Officer, and the Township can partner with an outside organization. Community cats that meet the article are exempt from the licensing, stray and at-large provisions of the Township Code. Healthy ones trapped by Animal Control count as on the property of the owner, so they are not impounded as strays. They go back to where they were found, or to a caregiver, after sterilization, rabies vaccination, microchipping and ear tipping under anesthesia by a licensed veterinarian. Ear tipping is defined as removal of the 1/4 inch tip of the left ear.

Caregivers carry duties under § 91-32. Feeding is permitted during daylight hours only, food goes in a container rather than on the ground, leftovers come up before dark, and feeding areas stay clean and sanitary. Caregivers also keep a record of illnesses or unusual behavior, make reasonable attempts to remove young kittens for domestication, and obtain medical attention for any colony cat that needs it.

The at-large and leash rules in § 91-8 are written for dogs, and Article I is titled Animal Control; Licensing of Dogs. The Township fees printed in Chapter 91 for cats are a $50 cat surrender fee (§ 91-5) and a $50 adoption fee for a cat over six months old, or $70 for a kitten under six months (§ 91-7).