Throughout the recent snowstorms on the East Coast particularly in North Carolina, I have seen hundreds of dogs left outside or abandoned. Animal Control and Police are unable to help these animals, or even hold their owners accountable, because in NC, this abuse is LEGAL. 

There is no excuse or argument for North Carolinians or Senate Committee members to accept such needless cruelty and neglect. In 2024 there were 20,000 dogs and cats euthanized in NC, plus the hundreds killed in cruelty cases.

Currently, the NC S573 Reform Animal Cruelty and Neglect Laws bill is sitting in committee, waiting for action. This bill has the power to transform the way animals are treated in North Carolina by tightening the laws around cruelty and neglect. Yet, without the commitment from our Senate to pass this crucial legislation, countless more animals will continue to suffer without protection.

Here are just a FEW examples of the large numbers of animals continuously being abused: 

• Davidson County: A couple was convicted in 2025 after more than 100 dogs were discovered in 2024.
• Nash County: Multiple felony cases occurred in 2025, including a woman charged with 35 counts of animal cruelty by starvation.
• Columbus County: Nearly 100 animals were seized in July 2025. 

North Carolina has been repeatedly ranked poorly in terms of animal welfare regulations. According to the Animal Legal Defense Fund, our state falls in the weakest categories of animal protection laws, trailing behind many others in our nation. With the highest numbers for euthanization and abuse. This has gone on for too long and is unacceptable. We can, and must, do better.

Passing the NC S573 bill is a critical step towards not just improving conditions for animals but also aligning our laws with the sentiment of our communities across the state—a sentiment of compassion and responsibility towards all living beings.

We urge the Rules and Operations of the Senate in North Carolina to prioritize and push forward the passage of NC S573. It’s time to put words into action and show that North Carolina values the lives and well-being of its animals.

Please join me in this fight against animal cruelty and neglect. By signing this petition, you are standing up for the voiceless and helping us turn the tide on animal welfare in North Carolina. Together, we can make a significant impact and bring about lasting change. Please sign and share this petition to encourage our representatives to act now.