MARLBORO — If your pet is placed in an animal pound by Marlboro officials, you may1 pay more to bring it home.
Members of the Township Council introduced an ordinance on June 16 that, if adopted, will raise the redemption fee to $25 to collect a pet that has been placed in an animal pound. Under the proposed ordinance, an additional $10 per day fee will be added after the second day of impoundment.
The current fee schedule is a redemption fee of $5 on the first offense plus $1 per day for the care and feeding of the animal while it is in the animal pound. Second offenses currently carry a $10 redemption fee, with a $15 fee for the third offense, and $20 fee for the fourth and subsequent offenses.
Amendments to the ordinance also state that all costs incurred by Marlboro, including the costs for impoundment, boarding or veterinary care will be paid by the animal’s owner.
At the discretion of Marlboro’s animal control officer, unlicensed animals may be released to the owner upon the condition that a license for the animal is obtained within 10 calendar days of the release.
Coincidently, a resident spoke during the Citizen’s Voice portion of the June 16 meeting (prior to the ordinance’s introduction), to complain about a neighborhood dog that he said runs around with no supervision.
Councilman Frank LaRocca said he wished that man had stayed at the meeting to witness the introduction of the new ordinance. He said perhaps the resident will want to offer his input on the matter during the ordinance’s public hearing.
The ordinance is expected to have a public hearing and possible vote for adoption on July 14.
In other animal news at the June 16 meeting, council members unanimously passed a resolution to approve a shared services agreement with Helmetta, Middlesex County, for animal impoundment services .
The agreement, which will run through the end of 2012, could see substantial savings for Marlboro with Helmetta lodging impounded animals at its new facility, according to municipal officials.
According to a comparison chart provided by the township, the current rates for Helmetta’s services are $6,090 less than what a different animal organization was charging, based on figures from 2010.
A breakdown shows that the cost of lodging 39 dogs, 102 cats and six exotics would equal $20,520 with the other animal organization, while Helmetta would charge Marlboro $14,430 for those services.
Under the terms of the agreement, Helmetta will provide Marlboro with full-time kennel services including housing, feeding and providing appropriate and necessary veterinary care.
Marlboro will pay Helmetta $100 per month in administrative fees. The rates for regular shelter fees will be $100 per week per dog; $90 per week per cat; and other domestic animals at $23 per week per animal.
When a resident redeems his animal from Helmetta’s animal facility, the resident will pay a boarding fee of $10 per day to the facility.
Other fees including veterinary care and special circumstances are also outlined in the agreement.