N.J. Stat. Ann. § 4:19A-1

The department shall establish and implement an Animal Population Control Program (hereinafter referred to as the "program" ). The purpose of this program shall be to reduce the population of unwanted and stray dogs and cats by encouraging the owners of dogs and cats to have them permanently sexually sterilized, thereby reducing potential threats to public health and safety posed by the growing population of these unwanted and stray animals, and by providing low-cost animal sterilization services to owners meeting at least one of the criteria of need enumerated in section 3 of this act.