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Clark Township Council bans retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits; ordinance adopted
Summary
On Oct. 20 the Clark Township Council adopted Ordinance 25-29 to prohibit retail pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits and to change the office that receives kennel/pet shop/shelter/pound license applications. Supporters cited state enforcement actions and local rescues; the ordinance passed by unanimous roll call.
The Clark Township Council adopted Ordinance 25-29 on Oct. 20, 2025, prohibiting retail pet stores in the township from selling dogs, cats and rabbits and changing the municipal office that receives license applications for kennels, pet shops, shelters and pounds.
Supporters at the public hearing said the ordinance is a preventative measure to keep commercially sold animals out of retail outlets and redirect potential adopters to rescues. Julia Collins, a Clark resident, told the council that several regional pet stores had been fined by the state attorney general and cited local and statewide rescues as alternatives for people seeking to adopt. Bridal Lefkowitz, identified as a public policy specialist with Humane World for Animals, urged passage and told the council that more than 500 U.S. communities and about 152 New Jersey municipalities have similar ordinances.
The council received one objection and four letters in favor before the hearing. Business Administrator Jim Ulrich summarized the ordinance for the council, saying it “primarily restricts the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits, within the township.” After public comment, Council member Toll moved to adopt the ordinance; Council member Hoff seconded. A roll-call vote recorded seven yes votes (Hoff; Hunt; Mazzarella; Manitti; O'Connor; Toll; Council President Smith); the motion carried and the ordinance was adopted.
Why it matters: supporters described the measure as a local step to reduce demand for commercially supplied companion animals and to steer residents toward rescues and adoption resources. Council minutes show the item was introduced and advanced through normal public hearing procedures before the adoption vote.
What the ordinance does: it amends Chapter 84 (Animals) to (1) change the municipal office to which licensing applications for kennels, pet shops, shelters and pounds are made and (2) prohibit retail pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits in the township. The public record cited one written objection and four letters in support.
Implementation and next steps: the ordinance takes effect according to the timetable in the municipal code (not specified at the hearing). The clerk's office will publish the adopted ordinance and the administration will notify affected businesses and licensing staff.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 25-29 — motion to adopt moved by Council member Toll, seconded by Council member Hoff; roll-call result: Yes 7, No 0, Abstain 0; outcome: adopted.
Reported claims and clarifications: during public comment residents cited state enforcement and fines (speakers mentioned an aggregate $70,000 in fines and one local fine of $10,000). Those figures were offered by a public commenter and reflected what she reported about prior attorney-general actions; the council did not itself present an AG report at the hearing.
The council president closed the hearing after the vote and moved to the next agenda item.
