NC Victory: Legislature Passes Budget Without Animal Welfare Fund Transfer, Veterinary Tax

This week the North Carolina General Assembly approved the state budget for next year.  Previous versions of the budget had included items of significant concern to the AKC, such as a transfer of the animal welfare budget and oversight away from the Department of Agriculture.  Another version included a tax on veterinary services.

Neither of these items – or anything that would negatively impact dog owners and breeders – was included in the final version of the budget.  The budget does include a new Animal Shelter Support Fund to help local governments with expenses when there is an “unforeseen catastrophic disaster” at an animal shelter or there is a denial, suspension, or revocation of the shelter’s registration.

The AKC thanks all who took the time this session to contact their legislators in support of responsible dog owners and breeders.