Animal Control
The West Windsor Township Animal Control Unit is currently staffed through a shared service agreement through East Windsor with ACO James St. John, a licensed Animal Cruelty Investigator/Animal Control Officer and two licensed part-time Animal Control Officers. The functions of Animal Control include: rabies control, West Nile Virus (WNV) specimen collection and submission, animal cruelty investigation, and enforcement of state and local animal control laws and regulations such as; illegal animals, licensing of pets and running at large.
West Windsor Animal Control Services
Animal Control Officers get involved in a wide array of encounters between animals and humans, whether it’s a report of stray dogs, feral cats, or wild animals acting abnormally in one’s yard. ACOs are trained officers responsible for enforcing West Windsor's ordinances and state laws that pertain to animals and their treatment. The primary function of the West Windsor Animal Control Officer is to help protect residents and visitors while dealing with pets and animals as humanely as possible.
Animal Control Officer duties include:
- Enforcement of West Windsor codes and state laws that pertain to domestic, as well as wild animals
- Investigation of animal cruelty complaints
- Investigation of dog attacks or bites to humans and animals
- Response to emergencies involving sick or seriously injured domestic or wild animals, including potential human exposure to the rabies virus
- Removal of stray dogs and cats from streets and other public areas
- Animal Control Officers enforce the dog license code
What to report and how to make a report: Call the West Windsor Police non-emergency dispatch number at 609-799-1222 to report:
- Dog bites
- Animal cruelty or neglect
- Sick or injured wildlife
- Human exposure/encounters with potentially rabid wildlife
West Windsor Animal Control Officer will respond to the following wildlife encounters/emergencies:
- In a home or business that poses a threat to humans or pets
- Between humans or domestic animals that could result in rabies exposures
- When wildlife shows signs and symptoms of rabies
- The first symptoms of rabies may be nonspecific and include lethargy, fever, vomiting, and anorexia. Signs progress within days to cerebral dysfunction, cranial nerve dysfunction, ataxia, weakness, paralysis, seizures, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, abnormal behavior, aggression, and/or self-mutilation.
- When wildlife poses a threat to humans or pets
- When wildlife appear sick or injured
- Where wildlife is damaging property
West Windsor Animal Control Officer do NOT respond to the following:
- Calls reporting wildlife nuisances
- When wildlife poses no real threat to humans, pets or property Examples:
- Wild animals living under decks, storage sheds, porches
- Wild animals living in populated areas
- Wild animals in attics, basements, detached garages and sheds
- Wildlife has damaged gardens, flower beds or shrubs
General Wildlife Information
Lost and Found Pets of Central Jersey
Mercer County New Jersey Lost and Found Pets Mascotas perdidas y encontra