Public Policy Advocacy

PFA offers expert consultation to promote humane public policy to elected officials at every level of government. We have successfully advocated for Humane Feral Cat Population Control (TNVR) in many NJ counties and municipalities. We also actively advocate for humane legislation in our State Legislature.

Spring 2026 Action Alert - Raise your voice for Community Cats

It’s kitten season . . .

Every Spring, in every city and town throughout New Jersey, thousands of kittens are born to homeless cats in the streets. Like their parents, most of them will suffer through hunger, extreme weather, illness, injury and even cruelty for the rest of their lives. Many will not survive. These felines are members of our community and deserve to be protected from these conditions. Thankfully, YOU have the power to help prevent this tragic cycle, and permanently improve the lives of our community’s cats – and you can take that action, right now!

Currently, there is a Bill pending in the NJ Legislature: S384, The Compassion for Community Cats Law. This proposed legislation would provide subsidized preventive veterinary care for outdoor cats – also known as Community Cats – through multiple measures, including Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (aka TNVR).

TNVR allows for our state’s Community Cats to live healthier lives, while they receive food, water and shelter from their neighborhood caretakers. Preventative vaccinations will help existing cats to live healthier lives, while sterilization will prevent them from producing even more homeless litters. This practice has been proven to be the least costly and most efficient way to reduce Community Cat populations – and it also happens to be the only humane method. Our team at People for Animals can attest to the positive impact of TNVR, having performed this service each year for thousands of Community Cats. All three of our clinics regularly reach daily capacity, as caretakers try to help as many cats as possible, as fast as possible. The good news is that trends are moving in the right direction, and providing better lives for the remaining felines living in our communities!

Bill S384 is gaining momentum with lawmakers, but they need to hear from the residents of New Jersey. YOU can kickstart that process, with four easy steps!

1. Contact your local Legislators in the Senate and Assembly, and request that they take voting and sponsorship steps to pass the Bill.

CLICK HERE to locate your Legislators

Sample Message: “Dear [Senator NAME][Assemblyperson NAME], I am contacting you to tell you I support NJ Bill S384: the Compassion for Community Cats Law. I support TNVR as the most efficient and humane method of managing our state’s community cats. I would like to see S384 passed and am requesting that you co-sponsor this Bill and vote ‘Yes’ for it, thank you.”

2. Contact the Chair of the Senate Economic Growth Committee, Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez, and request that she brings the Bill to a vote in the S.E.G. Committee:

Website Contact Form | (856) 541-1251 | SenCruzPerez@njleg.org

Sample Message: “Dear Senator Cruz-Perez, I am contacting you to tell you I support NJ Bill S384: the Compassion for Community Cats Law. I support TNVR as the most efficient and humane method of managing our state’s community cats. I would like to see this Bill passed and am requesting that you bring this Bill for a vote in the Senate Economic Growth Committee and vote ‘Yes.’ Thank you.”

3. Contact Senator Nicholas P. Scutari, Senate President, or Assemblyman Craig J. Coughlin, Assembly Speaker, and request that they schedule a vote for the Bill:

Senator Scutari: Website Contact Form | (732) 827-7480 | SenScutari@njleg.org

Assemblyman Coughlin:Website Contact Form| (732) 855-7441 | AsmCoughlin@njleg.org

Sample Message: “Dear [Senator Scutari][Assemblyman Coughlin], I am contacting you to tell you I support NJ Bill S384: the Compassion for Community Cats Law. I support TNVR as the most efficient and humane method of managing our state’s community cats. I would like to see this Bill passed and am requesting that you schedule a vote for this Bill in the Legislature, thank you.”

4. Share this news with your friends and neighbors! Encourage others to reach out to their elected representatives. Let them know that we all have the opportunity to improve the lives of Community Cats across the Garden State! When we come together and raise our voices as one, we can provide healthier & happier lives for our feline friends!

Advocacy in Action

PFA has been working with municipal and county governments for over 15 years to provide expert testimony and guidance concerning humane management of free-roaming cats. We have had many successes in promoting Trap-Neuter-Return as the most effective and only humane method of managing populations of unowned felines.

As the largest spay-neuter provider in New Jersey, PFA is one of a few veterinary providers who welcome “feral” cats in our practices. PFA has also served as the official sponsor of municipal feral cat population control programs in four North Jersey towns including Hillside, South Orange, Maplewood, and Bloomfield. We are quite familiar with the benefits and challenges of TNR. While TNR is a priority for us, PFA also engages with elected officials on other animal welfare questions such as Puppy Mills/Pet Stores, Animal Sheltering and Control policy, pet licensing and pet limits, and more.

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