Amends GS 14-360, concerning cruelty to animals, as follows. Expands upon the offense to also make it a Class 1 misdemeanor to deprive an animal of adequate space or to cause any animal to be deprived of the same. Adds and defines the terms adequate space, animal, freedom of movement, lawful hunt, and torture, torment, or cruelly. Adds to the exclusions from the offense under the statute the use of a dog in a lawful hunt. Makes additional clarifying changes. Makes organizational changes so that intentionally and maliciously are separately defined terms. Effective December 1, 2024, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Appropriates $50,000 for 2024-25 to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for a public awareness campaign regarding the act's changes to animal cruelty laws. Effective July 1, 2024.