North Carolina
Updates about legal issues facing animals in the state
The Animal Legal Defense Fund works at the federal, state and local levels to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals.
Animal Protection Laws Ranking
Each year, the Animal Legal Defense Fund publishes its U.S. State Animal Protection Laws Rankings Report. Each state is ranked based on 20 different categories of animal protection.
North Carolina
Overall Rank: #42 (Bottom Tier)
- +Animal cruelty is an abatable civil nuisance
- -Neglect laws do not include requirements for shelter, veterinary care, etc.
- -Has an ag-gag law
- -No statutorily authorized sentencing to mental health evaluation or treatment
- -No sentence enhancements for repeat animal abusers
Animal Protection Laws of North Carolina
The Animal Protection Laws of North Carolina compendium contains the general animal protection and related statutes for North Carolina with an effective date on or before September 1, 2022.
Legislative Session
Active Legislation
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Take Action
Take action now to help animals in your state.
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Stop Ag-Gag Laws
Undercover investigations and whistleblowers have exposed some of the worst aspects of factory farming, but Ag-Gag laws punish people who speak out about cruelty in animal agriculture. Voice your opposition.
No More Puppy Mills
Puppy mill operators maximize their profits by producing large numbers of puppies as quickly as possible. As a result, unsanitary conditions, disease, and neglect are rampant. Sign our pledge to boycott puppy mills. Together we can end cruel puppy mills.
Passing Local Legislation: Retail Pet Sale Ban
In this free webinar, we walk you through the basics of how to pass a retail pet sale bans in your community — a powerful way to fight back against puppy mills.
Passing Local Legislation: Prohibiting Animals in Circuses and Traveling Shows
This webinar will focus on passing a local prohibition on animals used in circuses and other traveling shows.
Recent Victories
Ben the Bear Caged at Roadside Zoo in North Carolina
Ray v. Jambbas Ranch Tours
The Animal Legal Defense Fund sued a roadside zoo in Fayetteville, North Carolina to free Ben the Bear.
King Kong Zoological Park
Charlene Salzer, Mary Elder, and Martha Buffington v. King Kong Zoo, and John Curtis
In 2014 the Animal Legal Defense Fund brought a lawsuit against the King Kong Zoological Park, an unaccredited roadside zoo in Murphy, North Carolina, for violating the state's animal cruelty laws.
The Woodley Case
Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Woodley
The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a ground breaking lawsuit against a hoarder using a unique North Carolina provision, the 19A Statute, which allows citizens to bring civil charges against abusers for violating animal cruelty.
Animal Legal Defense Fund 2022 State Animal Protection Laws Ranking Report
See the best and worst states for animal protection laws