Residents,
The Township has specific regulations in reference to providing Animal Control Services. Any request for animal control services can be made by contacting the Municipal Building during regular business hours (609-877-2050) or the non-emergency number of Burlington County Central Communications (609-267-8300). Please read the information below so that you are aware of what services the Township supplies and what we do not supply.
1. Animal Control DOES NOT pick up non-domestic animals/pests on private property or inside of homes! (Ground hog, bats, birds, fox, snakes, skunks, etc.) This is the responsibility of the property owner and that property owner must contact, and pay for, their own Pest Control Service. Multiple services are available throughout the County and can be searched by internet.
2. Misplaced, Abandoned, Feral, or other non-injured dogs and cats (domestic animals-only) may be picked up Monday through Friday during the business hours of 8:30am to 5:00pm. If you decide to trap or collect one of these domestic animals, you must understand that you may have to keep that animal until appropriate business hours as it does not constitute an emergency.
3. Collection of Injured Dogs and Cats occur during business hours of Monday through Friday during the business hours of 8:30am to 5:00pm. In addition, injured dogs or cats (otherwise knows as domestic animals) can be picked up after hours when specifically requested by the Township of Edgewater Park or Township of Edgewater Park Police Department. (Calling the numbers provided above.)
NOTE: THE TOWNSHIP WILL NOT PAY OR PROVIDE PAYMENT FOR ANY MEDICAL CARE OF ANY DOMESTIC ANIMAL THAT IS OWNED BY A RESIDENT AND IS FOUND LOOSE AND INJURED. ALSO, RESIDENTS MUST CALL THE TOWNSHIP AND REQUEST ANIMAL CONTROL TO TRANSPORT ANY DOMESTIC ANIMAL TO THE SHELTER OR FOR MEDICAL CARE. ANIMAL CONTROL IS TASKED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVALUATING THE ANIMAL(S) AND DETERMINING ITS PROPER NEEDS AND TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS. THE TOWNSHIP WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY ANIMAL TRANSPORTED BY A RESIDENT. (NO EXCEPTIONS!) IF A RESIDENT TRANSPORTS AN ANIMAL TO AN ANIMAL HOSPITAL ON THEIR OWN, THEY TAKE ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT ANIMAL THAT IS REQUIRED. THEY MAY FILL OUT A FORM NOTING THEY ARE JUST PROVIDING A HUMANE SERVICE, BUT WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANYTHING DETERMINED BY THE ANIMAL HOSPITAL/TREATMENT FACILITY. IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU PLAN TO TAKE A DOMESTIC ANIMAL TO A MEDICAL TREATMENT FACILITY, CALL THEM FIRST IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO BE BILLED OR HELD RESPONSIBLE IF YOU TRANSPORT THE ANIMAL.
MOST SHELTERS ALLOW PEOPLE TO DROP OFF ANIMALS AND COMPLETE A FORM THAT THEY DID SO FOR "HUMANE REASONS". AGAIN, THE TOWNSHIP WILL TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANIMALS DROPPED OFF BY RESIDENTS.
3. Collection of injured wildlife (excluding deer) will take place Monday through Friday during the business hours of 8:30am to 5:00pm. These animals will be transported to the Woodford-Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge for care.
4. Animal Control will manage animal transportation, subsequent testing, and reporting of animals suspected of rabies in conjunction with the NJ State Department of Health.
5. Animal Control will also handle Animal Bite Investigations, confinement, and reporting to the Burlington County Health Department.
6. Animal Control will assist with animal cruelty investigations and subsequent court appearances on behalf of the Township.