Bill > H657

This bill establishes comprehensive minimum standards of care for companion animals (defined as domestic dogs and cats) in North Carolina, requiring owners to provide adequate care, exercise, feed, shelter, space, water, and veterinary treatment. The bill defines these standards in detailed terms, including specifications for shelter (such as protection from extreme weather, proper lighting, and cleanliness), tethering regulations (including minimum tether length and weight restrictions), and nutritional requirements. Exceptions to shelter and space requirements are made for animals engaged in specific activities like hunting, herding, agricultural work, or camping. The bill provides specific definitions for terms like "extreme weather" (including temperatures below 32°F or above 85°F and severe weather warnings) and outlines penalties for violations, with a first offense being a Class 3 misdemeanor and subsequent offenses being Class 2 misdemeanors. Additionally, the bill allows local governments to maintain existing animal care ordinances or create new ones that meet or exceed these state standards, with the law set to take effect on December 1, 2025, and apply to offenses committed on or after that date.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H657