'Doggy Daycares' Now Allowed In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — An Ocean City vacation may get a little more pup-friendly now, as City Council has voted to allow kennels and doggy daycares.

An ordinance adopted at a recent meeting adjusted the language of zoning laws to allow kennels, which were banned up until this point. This change was done primarily to allow doggy daycares after someone came to city officials wanting to open one of these businesses in Ocean City.

While officials previously expressed interest in allowing such a business, two councilmen objected at the latest meeting over fears of it allowing puppy mills in Ocean City.

"I will not, I cannot, support the sale of puppy mill dogs in Ocean City, New Jersey," said Councilman Keith Hartzell.

Councilman Jody Levchuk also voted no on the ordinance. He too expressed concerns that it could lead to puppy mill operators opening in Ocean City.

City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson explained that anyone who wants to open a doggy daycare still must go through the zoning board and get a mercantile license. She noted that at these meetings, when neighbors are opposed to proposals, they "come out in droves, and the boards are responsive to their concerns."