Advocate

Helping the Pet Next Door

Defining Cruelty

Helping the Pet Next Door series (SPCA Critter Chatter Magazine)

The definition of abuse in Wake County includes, but is not limited to:

  • Failing to provide adequate food and water for more than 24 hours
  • Failing to provide adequate shelter; beating and torturing animals (among other things) resulting in physical pain, suffering, or death; and “failing to provide adequate medical attention for any sick, diseased, or injured animal in order to prevent physical pain, suffering, or death to the animal.” This is only a sampling of the definition of “abuse” of animals in Wake County. You can read the entire ordinance and the definition at North Carolina General Statutes: Article 47. 

In Section 2-3-5 Cruelty to Animals the ordinance states:

  • “The words ‘torture’ and ‘torment’ shall be held to include every act, omission or neglect whereby unjustifiable physical pain, suffering or death is permitted.” North Carolina General Statutes: Article 47. Cruelty to Animals. State law is closely mirrored by the county law but it elaborates on what qualifies as a misdemeanor or a felony. Cruelty to animals committed intentionally – an act committed knowingly and without justifiable excuse – is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Cruelty to animals committed maliciously – an act committed intentionally and with malice or bad motive – is guilty of a Class 1 felony.

Pets in Hot Cars

Love Your Pet: Leave Them at Home Campaign

Part 2 in the Helping the Pet Next Door series (SPCA Critter Chatter Magazine)

How Do I Help an Animal on the Side of the Road?

Part 3 in the Helping the Pet Next Door series (SPCA Critter Chatter Magazine)

Raleigh Dog Tethering Ordinance:  Tear-Out Letter to Use

NC GENERAL ASSEMBLY

NC Residents- Who Represents Me? Click here to enter your address and find out.

How does the county system work? Wake County is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners who set policies and ordinances for local governance. They also have final approval on the county budget.

The Wake County Animal Control, Care & Adoption Center is under the Department of Environmental Services.  The Director of Environmental Services reports to the County Manager who oversees the county’s day-to-day operations and reports to the Board of Commissioners.

Why does this matter to me? You vote for the county commissioners; therefore, they are in office to serve you; and, ultimately, the County Manager and the Director of Environmental Services are accountable to them.

What is my election district? In Wake County your election district is determined by your precinct.  You can find your election districts in several ways:

  • It may be as simple as looking at a map. The Board of Commissioners website provides a map of the districts
  • Look on the back of your Voter Registration card.
  • Call the Board of Elections at 856-6240 and they will look it up for you.
  • Visit the Board of Elections website  and click on “Check your voter registration & polling place.”  Using the search engine, search for your information (type in your FIRST NAME first and LAST NAME second).

Who are my elected officials? The Wake County Board of Elections provides all of the information that you need to find your elected officials at the federal, state, county, and municipal levels.  Use the index to identify the correct people along with their terms.

Who is my county commissioner? Once you have determined your district, you can use the Board of Commissioners page to obtain your county commissioner’s contact information based on your county commissioner district.

How do I become a voice for the animals?

  • Write, call, and email the county commissioner for your district. Always include your name, address, and zip code.
  • Phone 919-856-6160
  • Email all the Commissioners
  • Email the Clerk to the Board, Yvonne Gilyard
  • Contact your commissioner by visiting Board of Commissioners page to obtain individual contact information.
  • Write a letter to: Wake County Board of Commissioners, P.O. Box 550, Suite 1100, Raleigh, North Carolina 27602
  • Attend the Board of Commissioner meetings. The Board of Commissioners meetings take place on the first and third Monday of the month at the Wake County Courthouse, 7th floor, room 700 at 2:00pm with a public comment time from 3:00-3:30pm.

Municipal

Wake County consists of 12 municipalities. Some municipalities may have their own town/city ordinances concerning pets. These links will either take you to the home page for the municipality or directly to the municipality page concerning animal ordinances:
Apex
Cary
Fuquay-Varina
Garner
Holly Spring
Knightdale
 Morrisville
Raleigh
 Rolesville
Wake Forest
Wendell
Zebulon 
Each Wake County Municipality has its own town/city council and town/city manager. This page provides links to each town/city website where you can find contact information for these representatives and decision-makers.

Municode.com is a private company that publishes municipal codes and an online library of municipal codes with a search feature. When you select the desired municipality, you can use search terms to find codes relating to animals.

County

State

Federal

  • ASPCA: Lobby for Animals This organization is not affiliated with the SPCA of Wake County or any other SPCA or humane society. They provide education, action, advocacy, and lobbying at the national level. Their "Lobby for Animals" web pages provide tons of resources to keep you informed about upcoming and ongoing legislation at the state and national level.
  • Humane Society of the United States This organization is not affiliated with the SPCA of Wake County or any other SPCA or humane society. They provide education, action, advocacy and lobbying at the national level. They offer a primer on how to lobby at the state and federal levels.
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