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1. What services does Animal Control provide in Newton?

Animal Control reunites lost pets with their owners, rescues injured and stray animals or wildfire, and enforces local and State animal laws including the investigation of dog/cat bites and animal attacks, animal welfare checks and nuisance complaints. 

2. What is the difference between a "Service Dog" and an "Emotional Therapy Dog"?

According to the ADA, a service animal is specifically a dog that has undergone individual training to perform tasks or work for the benefit of an individual with a disability. This could be a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or mental disability. Tasks might include guiding visually impaired people, alerting individuals who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, assisting during a seizure, reminding an individual with mental illness to take medication, and calming a person with PTSD during an anxiety attack, among others.

It’s important to remember that service animals are not pets but working animals. Their assigned work or task must be directly related to the owner’s disability. Dogs whose only role is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

3. Am I required to license my cat in Newton?

All dogs and cats (even "indoor cats"), are required by Chapter 57-10 of the Town of Newton Code Book, to be licensed annually.  Registration forms can be found at www.newtontownhall.com/pet. 

4. Where can I find a schedule of free rabies clinic?

Sussex County maintains a schedule of free rabies clinics happening throughout the County.  The schedule can be found at www.newtontownhall.com/rabies.