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1. Are there any low cost spay/neuter clinics for cats and dogs?

Animal Friends for Education and Welfare (AFEW) has a list of low-cost spay/neuter clinics for cats and dogs.

Ace of Spays spay/neuter clinic or Friends of Animals, which provides low-cost certificates for veterinarians in your area.

Forgotten Cats: 215-219-8148

2. Can you provide me with the name and contact information for Rescue Groups?

See our Rescue Groups Page.

3. Does Hamilton Township offer presentations to schools and community organizations on animal issues?

Yes. Hamilton Township Animal Control provides humane education and responsible pet ownership presentations to schools and other organizations. At these presentations, Animal Control Officers and the Health Educator emphasize such topics as public safety, dog bite prevention, responsible pet ownership and humane care of animals. Please submit a citizen service request or call 890-3550/3555 to arrange for a presentation.

4. How do I report a lost/found animal?

Report a lost/found animal via online form. You can also fax the information to animal control at 609-890-3555/3550 or Hamilton Police Department at 609-581-4000 after hours and on holidays.

5. If a citizen needs to find a home for a pet, will Animal Control pick it up?

No. Hamilton Township Animal Control acts as a referral agency. They will gladly take necessary information and refer residents to various Rescue Groups.

Phone Numbers:

• Animal Friends for Education and Welfare: 609-448-5322
• Friends of Homeless Animals: 609-921-8133
• Animal Rescue Force: 732-257-7559
• Rescue Pets: 609-278-6857
• Stray Cats: 609-462-7177
• Animal Allies: 609-737-2380
• Pet Rescue of Mercer website (email only)
• Hope for the Animals: 215-9456204
• Animal Alliance: 609-635-7006
• Animals in Distress: 609-585-5442
• All 4 the Dogs: 609-443-4386

6. Is there a leash law?

Yes. All dogs are required to be leashed or other physical control per Township Ordinance. 

7. What animal control issues require that I contact Animal Control immediately?

Animal Control's phone number is 890-3550/3555. Animal Control should be directly contacted on the following issues during business hours to see if a response is needed:

• Animal Cruelty (Investigated jointly with Hamilton Police) 
• Animals Attacking a Person or Animals
• Canines in Schools or Playgrounds
• Canines Running Loose
• Canines in Traffic (Local Roads or Interstate Highways)
• Bats in Resident's House
• Wildlife in a Resident's House
• Possible Rabid Animals
• Injured and/or Sick Domestic Animals
  • To report sick, injured, dead wildlife call the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife toll free at 877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337).

If you are calling to report an emergency situation involving an animal and the shelter is closed (after hours, weekends or holidays), contact the Police department at 581-4000 and they may dispatch an Animal Control Officer.

8. What can be done if a neighbor's pet is loose and creating a nuisance?

Residents may call Animal Control at 890-3550 and request that an Animal Control Officer investigate their complaint. If violation of state or local ordinances is found, the pet owner may be cited or the animal(s) may be taken into custody. If this occurs, the owner must pay fees and/or penalties when redeeming the animal from the animal shelter. When serious violations are reported such as animal cruelty or potentially dangerous animals, you may need to be willing to testify in court. Additionally, Animal Control Officers may need to ask you to help establish additional evidence (i.e., testimony from neighbors) so they may take enforcement action.

9. What is the law regarding animals creating a noise nuisance, such as excessive barking?

It is a violation of Township Ordinance to allow your animal to vocalize in such a manner that is disturbing to other citizens. Contact the Hamilton Township Police Department at 581-4000 with your noise concerns and/or complaints.

You must contact them while the disturbance is happening.

10. What happens if I need animal control service after hours Monday through Friday, week-ends or holidays?

If you are calling to report an emergency situation involving an animal and the shelter is closed (after hours, weekends or holidays), contact the Police department at 581-4000 and they may dispatch an Animal Control Officer. Examples of situation which may require an Animal Control response:

• Animal Cruelty (Investigated jointly with Hamilton Police) 
• Animals Attacking a Person or Animals
• Canines in Schools or Playgrounds
• Canines Running Loose
• Canines in Traffic (Local Roads or Interstate Highways)
• Bats in Resident's House
• Wildlife in a Resident's House
• Possible Rabid Animals
• Injured and/or Sick Domestic Animals
  • To report sick, injured, dead wildlife call the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife toll free at 877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337).

11. What should I do if I see an injured, sick or expired animal?

Contact the Hamilton Township Animal Control Division at 609-890-3550/3555 to for information and assistance.

If the injured animal is a deer, contact the Police at 581-4000.

To report sick, injured, dead wildlife call the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife toll free at 877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337).

12. Are chickens allowed in Hamilton?

Chickens are only allowed in the RRS (Rural Resource Section) zone of Hamilton, which is behind the Hamilton Marketplace to Monmouth County Line.  

However, the chicken coup must be 200 feet off the property line.  If you live in the rural zone and do not have enough property to follow this, you cannot have chickens.

You can have 100 chickens/acre in the rural zone.

13. Are dogs permitted on the grounds of Sayen and Grafton House?

Dogs are permitted on the grounds on a leash.  Owners are expected to curb pets.  Dogs are not permitted inside the historical homes unless it is a certified service dog.