Requires establishment of municipal animal control programs and DOH oversight over such programs; appropriates $500,000 for grants to municipalities for associated costs.

This bill requires all New Jersey municipalities to establish local animal control programs that provide services, enforce state animal control laws, and implement specific protocols for handling stray animals, threats to public safety, and homeless cat populations. Each municipality must appoint a municipal health officer to oversee the program, prioritize its funding, and report quarterly to local government and the state Department of Health (DOH). The DOH will provide oversight, handle complaints about unaddressed animal control issues, and administer a $500,000 grant program to help municipalities cover costs. Additionally, programs must include a homeless cat initiative, potentially involving colony management with spay/neuter procedures and record-keeping for cat care.