Animal Control Officers Family Devastated by Fire - PLEASE HELP! 2008 New Jersey League of Municipalities Slide Show   WELCOME Welcome to the New Jersey Certified Animal Control Officers official web site. Our wish is not only to provide information to Animal Control Officers and Animal Cruelty Investigators, but to also help others understand the diverse duties and responsibilities of those professions. As you browse through the site please feel free to jot down any comments and contact us at animal@twp.stafford.nj.us with your thoughts and questions. HISTORY OF THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER At the turn of the 20th century and into the fourth decade, the virus rabies was rampant in canines in the State of New Jersey. As a matter of public health and safety municipalities had to appoint a “dog collector” to round up dogs that were suspected of having rabies. A vaccination requirement was also instituted at that time, and, remains in affect today. So others could verify that an animal was inoculated with a rabies vaccine, brass tags were required to be attached to an animals collar. Today we call them dog licenses. As the years progressed these “dog collectors” came to be called "dogcatchers". Keepers of local impoundment facilities (dog pounds), many times the "dogcatcher", came to be known as the "dog warden". Public health departments were and still are required to provide certain core services or “Minimum Standards of Performances” in their local jurisdictions. One of those core services is an organized rabies control program intended to control and prevent the spread of rabies. Soon "dog catchers" were being asked by municipalities to address other local issues pertaining to animals. The title “animal warden” soon took hold and even today some agencies still refer to their animal control services in this antiquated manner. In 1968 pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act” P.L. 1968, c 410 C.52:14B-1 et seq.), the title “Animal Control Officer” evolved, and is still the appropriately referenced. More and more duties were bestowed on this “public servant” In 1983, pursuant to section 4 of P.L. 1983, c. 525, and in accordance with the “Administrative Procedure Act” 1968, the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services was required to adopted rules and regulations concerning the training and educational qualifications of Animal Control Officers. Two of the most important aspects of this statute were that Animal Control Officers were required to be State certified, and, all New Jersey municipalities were now required to appoint an Animal Control Officer. Today in 2004, there are over 1500 Animal Control Officers who have been State certified. Around the same time, (the early 80’s) a group of local Animal Control Officer’s in the Essex/Union County area would get together at a small Millburn Diner once a month to discuss issues and compare notes as to what was going on "in their neck of the woods"! It wasn’t long before they realized that many of their problems were similar in nature. That small group of officer’s weren’t aware of it at the time, but they were participating in what is now known to be the first meetings of the New Jersey Certified Animal Control Officers Association. Some of those very same Officers remain on the job and are still active in the Association. Once municipalities were required to appoint an Animal Control Officer, many had to opportunity to meet with others in their profession and discuss in open forum the challenges facing them on a daily basis. Many similar shortcomings soon became apparent. Enter the ACI! ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATOR Animal Control Officers were soon recognized locally as the animal problem facilitator. When a resident would call the police and the word animal was entered into the request for assistance, the police soon became dependant on the ACO (Animal Control Officer). They knew we were the proper agency to address animal concerns. The police and now the Animal Control Officers, soon realized that the animal cruelty enforcement system was antiquated and in need of repair. In 1989 the New Jersey Certified Animal Control Officers Association along with the Humane Society of the United States (www.HSUS.org) and other animal welfare groups, proposed legislation that would allow Animal Control Officers with additional training, to enforce the animal cruelty statutes of New Jersey. After a long battle, against unexpected opposition, the legislature agreed with our Association. On September 9, 1997, section 3 of P.L. 1983, c525 was amended by L. 1997, c 247 & 3, eff. Dec. 8, 1997. It states “Only certified animal control officers who have completed the training may be authorized by the governing body to act as an officer for the detection, apprehension, and arrest of offenders; however, officers who have completed the training shall not have the authority to act unless authorized by the governing body which is employing the officer or contracting for the officers services”. Thus, Animal Control Officers with this additional training approved by the PTC (Police Training Committee), and appointed by a governing body, now have the statutory authority to enforce the animal cruelty statutes of the State of New Jersey. EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS Since 1983 New Jersey Animal Control Officers have requested from the State organized and structured training. In fact we insisted that this training be offered in NJ approved universities and police academies. The basic Animal Control Officer certification course is offered at several New Jersey Colleges in both the spring and fall semesters. This course is required to be a minimum of 45 hours and once completed, is equivalent 3-college credits. This course is usually given one day a week for 15 weeks. The Animal Cruelty Investigator certification course is required to be sponsored by a NJ approved Police Academy. Currently, the Career Development Institute at www.cditraining.org , which can also be reached by calling (732) 821- 6997 offers this certification course. Since 2001 when the first ACI (Animal Cruelty Investigator) class was held, 107 officers have been State certified. This course is required to be a minimum of 45 hours. In 2003 the class was extended to 7 days, at a minimum of 8 hours a day. The amount of information is overwhelming. The training is unprecedented in New Jersey. We recommend it to everyone, not only Animal Control Officers.   Four Colleges and one private school presently offer the New Jersey Animal Control Officers certification course. They are: 1. Kean University 1000 Morris Ave. Union, NJ 07083 (908) 737-7100 2. Ocean County College College Drive Toms River, NJ 08753 (732) 255-0400 3. Morris County College 214 Center Grove Road. Randolph, NJ 07869 (973) 328- 5100 4. Camden County College PO Box 200 College Drive Blackwood, NJ 08012 (856) 338-1817 Ext 4200 5. Career Development Instute (Conducts courses in colleges throughout New Jersey) PO Box 5024 Kendall Park, NJ 08824 (732) 821-6997 Current ACO and ACI Course offerings Contact their admissions office and ask about the availability of the course in your area.     Animal Control Officers Family Devastated by Fire It is usually the Animal Control Officer who is called upon in times of need. Most of us have dedicated our lives to serving both the citizens of New Jersey and the companion animals we hold so dear. Life sure holds a lot of card but sometimes we all receive one from the bottom of the deck. One of our own has been dealt a serious blow and we now find ourselves asking for assistance and prayers. This past week on 02/10/09 she received a call from a neighbor that her house was engulfed in flames and she needed to get there ASAP. Unfortunately by the time she arrived the Fire Department was unable to save her family's dwelling. With further sadness I need to tell you that 9 of her 11 animals perished. Two (2) dogs miraculously survived but, sustained very serious injuries! With four (4) young children and a husband they have found themselves without a home, their belongings, and a majority of their beloved pets. The New Jersey Certified Animal Control Officers Association has set up two funds to help mend this family back together. We all know how trying the times have become, even on the National level. BUT, I'm sure we realize just how fortunate we are to have our health, home and pets. Please reach within and help one of our own. Accounts have been set up in the name of: " Negrini Family Fire Fund" Lakeland Bank 28 Main Street Bloomingdale, New Jersey 07457 All financial donations to help the family rebuild should be sent there. Account two has been set up for their animal care at: "Negrini Family Pet Care Fund" Animal Care Center Dr. Morris 62 Hamburg Turnpike Riverdale, New Jersey 07457 Let's show the Negrini Family why America is still the greatest place on earth. Even being the most densely populated state, New Jerseyan's are all neighbors and neighbors still make house call! Should you have any questions or concerns please direct your calls to our Northern Region Director, Lisa Perry Bloomingdale ACO/ACI (973)838-8959 THANK YOU ALL for your anticipated support. Michael Melchionne President New Jersey Certified Animal Control Officers Association URGENT NOTICE-- TIME SENSITIVE We are please to announce that the Certified Animal Control Officer Course will be held at the Raritan Valley Community College . June 8 - 16, 2009 Raritan Valley Community College is offering the Animal Control Officers Course approved by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. This course meets the requirements of N.J.A.C. 8:23A-2.2. Successful completion of this course is required in order to be appointed as an Animal Control Officer by a New Jersey Municipality. Additionally, this is the only Certified Animal Control Officer Course  whose graduates are also certified by the American Red Cross for Pet First Aid and in Incident Command Systems 100 and 700  by the National Wildlife Fire Coordinating Group. Enrollment is open to any person 18 years of age or older. There is no requirement for prior experience or training to attend this course. Anyone interested in animal welfare personally or as a profession should attend. The seven day course will be conducted at the Raritan Valley Community College weekdays from October 6-15, 2008. Classes will be held from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm each day. In addition to this classroom component participants must arrange for and complete a 20 hour field training component. Tuition for this program is $749, which includes all materials. Tuition payments, purchase orders or vouchers are to be made payable to Career Development Institute and mailed directly to PO Box 5024 , Kendall Park , NJ 08824 . For further information or registration forms please call Career Development Institute at 1.800.244.6921 or contact them at www.cditraining.org. URGENT NOTICE-- TIME SENSITIVE Complete the classroom component of Certified Animal Control Officer training in seven Saturdays!!!! We are pleased to offer the New Jersey Certified Animal Control Officer Course at Mercer County Community College. This course is approved by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.  Successful completion of this course is required in order to be appointed as an Animal Control Officer by a New Jersey Municipality.  It is also a valuable training program for animal shelter workers, rescue workers and all others interested in animal welfare. This course meets the requirements of   N.J.A.C. 8:23A-2.2 et. seq.  Classes are held from 9 to 5  May 9, 16, 30, June 6, 13, 20 and 27. Attendance at all sessions, completion of academic tasks and a 20-hour field experience is required for completion of this program. Upon successful completion, students will receive a certification as an Animal Control Officer from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, certification in Pet First Aid from the American Red Cross and a certification in Incident Command Systems 100 and 700 by the National Wildlife Fire Coordinating Group. Enrollment is open to any person 18 years of age or older. There is no requirement for prior experience or training to attend this course. Anyone interested in animal welfare personally or as a profession should attend. Registration will be through Mercer County College. The tuition is $749 and includes all materials and fees. Contact us for additional information or with any questions you may have URGENT NOTICE-- TIME SENSITIVE Morris County Public Safety Training Academy is pleased to announce the following program   ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATORS COURSE URGENT NOTICE -- TIME SENSITIVE Please insure that all individuals including health officers, animal control officers and law enforcement personnel in your jurisdiction who are responsible for animal control or the investigation of animal cruelty cases receive a copy of this notice. ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATORS COURSE The Morris County Public Safety Training Academy is offering the Animal Cruelty Investigators Course approved by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services and the New Jersey Police Training Commission. This course meets the requirements of N.J.A.C. 8:23A-2.6. Successful completion of this course is required in order to be appointed as an Animal Cruelty Investigator by a New Jersey Municipality. Enrollment is open to any person 18 years of age or older and we anticipate being able to accommodate all applicants. The seven day course will be held at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy located at 500 West Hanover Avenue, Parsippany, New Jersey.  This course will be conducted from May 11 –19, 2009. Classes will be held from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm each day. Tuition for this seven day program is $689, which includes all materials. Tuition payments, purchase orders or vouchers are to be made payable to Career Development Institute and mailed directly to PO Box 5024, Kendall Park, NJ 08824. For further information or registration form please contact Career Development Institute at 1-800-244 6921 or at www.cditraining.org. Read President Michael Melchionne's Letter to NJCACOA members Read Vice President Steve Bordi's Letter to NJCACOA Members New Jersey Animal Rabies Statistics and Handling Domestic Animal Exposures Report The 2007 animal rabies statistics by county and species, January – June 2007 are available on the IZDP page of the NJDHSS website at: http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/documents/rabcases07.pdf. Compared to last year, there has been a decrease in bat rabies cases and an  increase in the terrestrial animal rabies cases, from 106 in 2006 to 124  in 2007 for the January to July period. An increase in the number of rabid raccoons is the cause of this increase. Download 2008 Membership Application Form (PDF) See Steve Bordi's Video of Magic - a homeless dog in need - during a program on KYW TV. Download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader To contact the NJCACOA email animal@twp.stafford.nj.us You may also contact the NJCACOA by phone: (609) 597-1000 ext 8525 © 2002-2009 NJCACOA. All Rights Reserved.