Service Animals Policy
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are welcomed and permitted in all Cape May County Library facilities. Per ADA, service animals are trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. For details, please see ADA requirements for service animals. No other animals are permitted.
In order to help maintain a pleasant, productive, and safe environment for all Library users and staff, the following behavioral guidelines for service animals are to be observed:
• Service animals must be in physical proximity with their handler and under handler control at all times.
• Service animals may not be left unattended by their handler at any time.
• Service animals must be on a leash or harness at all times unless the use of a leash or harness interferes with the animal's effective performance of its designated task(s). If the animal cannot be leashed or harnessed, it must be under the handler's control via voice, signals, or other effective means at all times.
• Service animals must not display disruptive behavior such as barking and growling and must conform to CMCL Rules of Conduct.
• Service animals must be housebroken and their handler is responsible for any upkeep or clean-up of the animal.
NOTE: If a service animal's behaviors or actions pose an unreasonable or direct threat to the health or safety of others, or do not conform to these guidelines, it may not remain in a Library facility. In accordance with ADA guidelines, non-compliance of guidelines can be grounds for a request to remove a service animal from a Library facility. If the service animal is excluded from a Library facility, the individual with the disability is welcomed to stay and will be reasonably accommodated by Library staff.
