NC H179

Establishes care standards for large commercial dog breeding facilities with 10 or more female dogs over six months old kept for breeding and selling offspring as pets.

Requires daily exercise, fresh food and water, appropriate veterinary care, daily health assessments, parasite prevention, humane enclosures with proper flooring and lighting, and clean facilities free from debris and odor.

Makes violation of these standards a Class 3 misdemeanor with fines of $25 to $1,000 per animal, or a Class 1 misdemeanor for repeat offenders.

Exempts kennels or boarding facilities focused on hunting, sporting, or show dogs, as well as veterinary hospitals and clinics with temporary custody of dogs not intended for breeding sale purposes.

Effective December 1, 2017, with provisions not limiting other animal welfare laws, local regulations, ownership of non-breeding dogs, or breeding of hunting and sporting dogs.