In New Jersey, stray animals must be held for at least seven days before they can be killed or offered for adoption.  N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.16.  The so-called seven-day holding period for gives families the opportunity to reclaim lost pets. It also protects animals from being needlessly killed by municipalities, pounds and shelters that do not want to be bothered with, or feel they do not have the time or space for, a stray animal.

Unfortunately — despite the fact that the mandate is a requirement of state law– the seven-day holding period in New Jersey is too-often ignored.  There are numerous cases in which an animal is picked up and is killed before seven days, sometimes the same day as it was captured.  Whether the license tag or name tag fell off, or the pet was abandoned, these animals often get killed in violation of law.

Moreover, efforts to encourage municipalities, pounds and shelters to follow the law often fall on deaf ears.   And the State Department of Health has not taken action to actively enforce the seven-day holding period.

The law is the law, and government officials and regulated entities and individuals alike are obligated to follow the law.

Moreover, the law is based on sound policy.  Families deserve the opportunity to reclaim lost pets: what would you do if your dog or cat got out of the house, was picked up by animal control, and killed before you could be reunited?

New Jersey needs to enforce the mandatory 7-day holding period for stray animals.

That means that animal control officers, health department officers, and pound and shelter officers need to comply with the law.  And municipalities and the State Department of Health need to enforce the law’s requirements.

People who break the law should be prosecuted.  There’s no excuse for the needless killing of an animal.