§ 19A-21. Purposes. - North Carolina Statutes

§19A‑21.  Purposes.

The purposes of this Articleare (i) to protect the owners of dogs and cats from the theft of such pets;(ii) to prevent the sale or use of stolen pets; (iii) to insure that animals,as items of commerce, are provided humane care and treatment by regulating thetransportation, sale, purchase, housing, care, handling and treatment  of suchanimals by persons or organizations engaged in transporting, buying, or sellingthem for such use; (iv) to insure that animals confined in pet shops, kennels,animal shelters and auction markets are provided humane care and treatment; (v)to prohibit the sale, trade or adoption of those animals which show physicalsigns of infection, communicable disease, or congenital abnormalities, unlessveterinary care is assured subsequent to sale, trade or adoption. (1977,2nd Sess., c. 1217, s. 2.)