Animal Welfare Complaint Form
The World Health Organization has stated, “There is no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can transmit COVID-19. COVID-19 is mainly spread through droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks.”
Cruelty toward animals is illegal under North Carolina law. You can report animals experiencing physical harm under the care of an individual, pet shop, kennel or animal shelter to the North Carolina Attorney General’s Animal Welfare Hotline by filling out the Animal Welfare Complaint form.
Under North Carolina law, acts of animal cruelty include:
- Wounding,
- Tormenting,
- Killing,
- Depriving an animal of necessary nourishment,
- Or causing any of these things to occur to an animal.
Complaints against Public and Private Animal Shelters, Boarding Kennels, Pet Shops and Public Auctions should be directed to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Animal Welfare Hotline
The Animal Welfare Hotline was created by state law to take complaints about possible mistreatment of animals.
Call us at 1-855-290-6915 toll-free within North Carolina
What Happens with your Complaint
Our office will review your complaint to determine if the allegations involve animal cruelty. If our office determines that it is animal cruelty, then we will refer the complaint to the appropriate authority. The NC Department of Justice does not investigate or prosecute animal cruelty cases but depending on the details of the complaint, your local animal control office, local Sheriff, or the NC Department of Agriculture may have the authority to take action.
Please note that we are not able to process anonymous complaints.
Animal Welfare Complaint Form
A “Save and Continue” link is included next to the submit button at the bottom of this form. Clicking “Save and Continue” will allow you to save your progress, and return at a later date to complete the form.
For immediate response, please contact your local animal control office.
Please note that we are not able to process anonymous complaints.
If you want to send the complaint by mail, you can find a copy of the Animal Welfare Complaint Form here.
Mail to:
Animal Welfare Program
Office of the Attorney General
P.O Box 629
Raleigh, NC 27602
How to Contact Local Authorities
You are also welcome to share your animal cruelty concerns directly with your city or county animal control or Sheriff’s Office.
Watch Attorney General Josh Stein’s video about animal cruelty and how to report it.
Local Ordinances
You can view local ordinances at the following link: https://www.ncvaw.org/north-carolina-laws