Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Programs and Services
Contact: (609) 671-6400
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health offers New Jersey producers several programs and services. All programs are voluntary and many of the programs and services are offered free of charge. There are services and programs that are tailored to all aspects of poultry, livestock and equine agriculture in New Jersey.
If you can not find a program to the right that would suit you best, please feel free to contact the department to obtain more information concerning your animals or business and find out what programs might best suit you.
Breif History
For more than a century -- since 1883 -- industry, states, tribes, territories and USDA have together advanced animal disease traceability. This has resulted in the eradication of a number of animal diseases in various livestock and poultry sectors. In addition, advancements in animal disease traceability have resulted in the documentation of disease freedom, which has facilitated domestic and international animal and animal product movement.
Following the diagnosis of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the United States in December of 2003, collaborative efforts to advance animal disease traceability were accelerated in order to align with advancing information technology resources.
A New Framework
On February 5, 2010, USDA announced a new, flexible framework for animal disease traceability in the United States. Building upon successes of efforts by all partners in advancing animal disease traceability since 2004, this new framework is to be administered by states and tribal nations. Because states and tribal nations are at varying stages of capability, and the new framework is aligned with outcome-based performance measures of traceability, needs vary in leveraging state, tribal and federal resources to meet appropriate performance measures.
For more information, please visit the USDA's Animal Disease Traceability website at www.aphis.usda.gov/traceability/ or contact the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health at 609-671-6400.
The NJ Dept. of Agriculture does care about the welfare of all animals but has the authority to investigate animal cruelty complaints involving livestock only, not pets or wildlife.
If you have information regarding animal cruelty or abuse involving pets, contact the Police Department in the municipality in which the animal cruelty or abuse happened. Local and county law enforcement agencies have Humane Law Enforcement Officers (HLEOs) that oversee animal cruelty investigations.
All suspected hunting, fishing and trapping violations should be reported to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) through the NJ OPERATION GAME THIEF (NJ-OGT) HOTLINE at 1-855-OGT-TIPS. All other environmental related violations or emegencies should be reported to 877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337).
The NJ Department of Agriculture will initiate an investigation where the raising conditions of livestock are questioned. To start the process, please fill out the Humane Complaint Form that is found on our website:
This will provide us with the information needed to properly process the complaint.
Below are New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) recommendations and regulations for your reference prior to the fair and show season. The regulations identified by an asterisk* are not recommendations and must be enforced. Individual fairs and shows may impose additional or more stringent health requirements. Additionally, both the NJDA and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have called for increased surveillance and reporting of foreign animal and emerging diseases stressing that no potential cases of significant animal disease should be ignored. Immediately report any suspicious or unusual conditions in an animal, herd or flock for rapid diagnosis, control and eradication of a disease
Requirements for Poultry Exhibited at Shows and Fairs in New Jersey
New Jersey Fair and Show Animal Health Recommendations
4-H Poultry, Rabbit, Or Cavy Health Form
New Jersey Fairs and Shows Health Certificate
Guidelines for Petting Zoos, Animal Fairs, Shows and Exhibits
Certified Pullorum Testing Class Schedule
All persons associated with any aspect of the current fair and show season are encouraged to remain especially vigilant for any sign of unusual diseases in an animal, flock or herd. Additional security measures to protect the livestock and poultry exhibited should also be considered.
Interactions between people and animals provide valuable and enjoyable educational experiences that should be encouraged. However, during such contact, there is some risk of disease transmission. To protect both humans and animals, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture in consultation with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services encourages all fairs to implement the following precautionary steps to protect both visitors and animals from disease.
1. Provide a Hand-cleaning Station for use prior to and after contact with animals.
a. Provide running water or antibacterial hand wipes to clean dirt off hands
b. Provide alcohol-based hand rubs for use on clean hands
2. Provide cleaning supplies in a safe manner to protect visitors and animals
a. Trash cans should be available to prevent animals from eating the wipes
3. Post signs indicating:
a. The location of the Hand-cleaning Station or facilities when they are some distance from the exhibit
b. The procedure to be followed
c. The importance of the procedure
d. Post the “Lose the Germs” poster series, or similar signs
4. Do not allow human food or drink in animal contact areas.
5. Forbid smoking in animal contact areas, and at Hand-cleaning Stations.
6. Ensure that no feed is fed to the animals unless specifically provided by the fair.
Click here for further information on ways to minimize the spread of disease from animals to visitors from the Centers for Disease Control.