Save Raw Milk for Pets in NC!
- Amy Phinney
- May 2
- 8 min read
Updated: Jun 17
UPDATE 6/17/25: YOU DID IT!! Together, we saved raw milk for pets in NC!!!
THANK YOU to everyone that spoke up for our pets!
Wow, what a whirlwind the past few hours have been. Thanks to someone posting in the Raw Milk for Pets NC FB group at 4:06 pm, we heard that SB639 had been brought to the Senate floor at 4pm today! This was a surprise, and we scrambled to see what was happening. What we found was the bill being read on the Senate floor with 2 amendments brought forth. One of the amendments, to strike the section giving pesticide immunity, was tabled (aka not voted on.) The other amendment brought forth included quite a few changes. Most importantly to this group the amendment would remove the section (20) about raw milk for nonhuman consumption. This amendment was passed unanimously, and the bill was then passed. We were not there to cheer, to celebrate, or even to hear it for ourselves, but we will pour a glass of milk for our dog and cats tonight in celebration.
Several hours later, Version 5 of Senate Bill 639 was finally published to the NC Legislative website, and we got to read it for ourselves- there is no longer a Section 20 (the section repealing the sales of raw milk for nonhuman- aka pet- consumption.) Read it here: S639v5.pdf
We are so grateful for everyone that rallied together to keep raw milk legal for our pets. Thank you to every petition signer, sharer, phone call & email to legislators, social media posts, comments, stories shared, pictures shared, and everything else that the community did to speak out for our pets. You spoke; they listened.
We will keep the Raw Milk for Pets NC FB group open in case there are any more changes or updates in this arena.
We will also be choosing a winner for our original contest soon! Winner will be contacted.
UPDATE 6/10/25: We are currently waiting to find out whether Senate Bill 639 will be read again in the Senate Rules Committee or if it will go back to the Senate floor, possibly with amended language. If you find out, please let us know! It is possible we won't know until the day it happens, which could be any day.
Please join us in using however much time we have to speak up for our pets by sharing your stories, testimonials, and pet pictures!
Sign and share the petition: https://chng.it/hMn9y7Mhz4
If you are new here, read the petition for more information about the bill that would ban raw milk for nonhuman- aka pet- consumption!
Contact your Senators, especially Leadership and Rules Committee- scroll down for all the contact info. Ask them to stop the ban on raw milk for pets. Ask them to not let NC become the only state where these pet products are illegal. Ask them when the bill will go for a vote and if the language will change.
Join the community discussion on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/12FnruvdLG8/
UPDATE 5/15/25: Your calls/emails/petition are working! Senate bill 639 was pulled from the calendar today and did not get voted on (yet)! This shows some hope that our voices are starting to be heard. But, the bill did not die, and we need to keep the pressure on! The bill is being sent backwards to the Senate Rules Committee. Please focus pressure on our Senators, especially Leadership and Rules Committee.
Share your stories, testimonials, and pet pictures! Ask them to stop the ban on raw milk for pets. Ask them to not let NC become the only state where these pet products are illegal.
And keep sharing the petition too: https://chng.it/hMn9y7Mhz4
Leadership:
President Pro Tempore: Phil Berger 919-733-5708 Phil.Berger@ncleg.gov
Deputy President Pro Tempore: Ralph Hise 919-733-3460 Ralph.Hise@ncleg.gov
Majority Leader: Michael V. Lee 919-715-2525 Michael.Lee@ncleg.gov
Majority Whip: Amy S. Galey 919-301-1446 Amy.Galey@ncleg.gov
Majority Whip: Todd Johnson 919-733-7659 Todd.Johnson@ncleg.gov
Republican Joint Caucus Leader: Carl Ford 919-733-5665 Carl.Ford@ncleg.gov
Democratic Leader: Sydney Batch 919-733-5653 Sydney.Batch@ncleg.gov
Democratic Whip: Jay J. Chaudhuri 919-715-6400 Jay.Chaudhuri@ncleg.gov
Democratic Caucus Secretary: Julie Mayfield 919-715-3001 Julie.Mayfield@ncleg.gov
Rules Committee:
Chair: Bill Rabon 919-733-5963 Bill.Rabon@ncleg.gov
Vice Chair: Warren Daniel 919- Warren.Daniel@ncleg.gov
Members:
Gale Adcock 919-715-3036 Gale.Adcock@ncleg.gov
Dan Blue 919-733-5752 Dan.Blue@ncleg.gov
Danny Earl Britt, Jr. 919-733-5651 Danny.Britt@ncleg.gov
Jay J. Chaudhuri 919-715-6400 Jay.Chaudhuri@ncleg.gov
Carl Ford 919-733-5665 Carl.Ford@ncleg.gov
Amy S. Galey 919-301-1446 Amy.Galey@ncleg.gov
Michael Garrett 919-733-5856 Michael.Garrett@ncleg.gov
Ralph Hise 919-733-3460 Ralph.Hise@ncleg.gov
Brent Jackson 919-733-5705 Brent.Jackson@ncleg.gov
Todd Johnson 919-733-7659 Todd.Johnson@ncleg.gov
Michael A. Lazzara 919-715-3034 Michael.Lazzara@ncleg.gov
Michael V. Lee 919-715-2525 Michael.Lee@ncleg.gov
Paul A. Lowe, Jr. 919-733-5620 Paul.Lowe@ncleg.gov
Julie Mayfield 919-715-3001 Julie.Mayfield@ncleg.gov
Tom McInnis 919-733-5953 Tom.McInnis@ncleg.gov
DeAndrea Salvador 919-733-5655 DeAndrea.Salvador@ncleg.gov
Norman W. Sanderson 919-733-5706 Norman.Sanderson@ncleg.gov
Benton G. Sawrey 919-715-3040 Benton.Sawrey@ncleg.gov
Vickie Sawyer 919-715-3038 Vickie.Sawyer@ncleg.gov
Joyce Waddell 919-733-5650 Joyce.Waddell@ncleg.gov
Scroll down to the original post to see how you can win 1 YEAR of milk for your pet!!
UPDATE 5/14/25: The bill is going to the Senate floor for a vote TOMMORROW, 5/15, at 10:30 am.
Call all senators! Call Senate President, Phil Berger: 919-733-5708
Show up if you can!
Senate Chamber
North Carolina Legislative Building
16 W Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Visitor info, including parking: Visitor Info - North Carolina General Assembly
UPDATE 5/9/25:
Please call and email your representatives both in the Senate and the House ASAP!
Share your stories and testimonials. Ask them to stop the ban on raw milk for pets.
Senate Bill 639 will go for a vote in the Senate sometime next week- probably 5/13 or 14. If the bill passes the Senate, it moves on to the House, so please contact both of your representatives.
Please also sign and share the petition ASAP: https://chng.it/qFggK5q8Wj
And join us for more updates and resources in the FB group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1T8DA7oCsR/
Members of the NC State Senate:
Contact as many as you can.
Find your Representatives here: https://www.ncleg.gov/FindYourLegislators
Gale Adcock | 715-3036 | 16 | |
W. Ted Alexander | 715-0690 | 44 | |
Val Applewhite | 733-5776 | 19 | |
Lisa S. Barnes | 715-3030 | 11 | |
Sydney Batch | 733-5653 | 17 | |
Phil Berger | 733-5708 | 26 | |
Dan Blue | 733-5752 | 14 | |
Woodson Bradley | 715-8331 | 42 | |
Bob Brinson | 733-5621 | 3 | |
Danny Earl Britt, Jr. | 733-5651 | 24 | |
Jim Burgin | 733-5748 | 12 | |
Jay J. Chaudhuri | 715-6400 | 15 | |
Sophia Chitlik | 733-4809 | 22 | |
Kevin Corbin | 733-5875 | 50 | |
David W. Craven, Jr. | 733-5870 | 29 | |
Warren Daniel | 715-7823 | 46 | |
Terence Everitt | 733-5850 | 18 | |
Carl Ford | 733-5665 | 33 | |
Amy S. Galey | 301-1446 | 25 | |
Michael Garrett | 733-5856 | 27 | |
Lisa Grafstein | 733-9349 | 13 | |
Bobby Hanig | 715-8293 | 1 | |
Ralph Hise | 733-3460 | 47 | |
Mark Hollo | 733-5876 | 45 | |
Brent Jackson | 733-5705 | 9 | |
Steve Jarvis | 733-5743 | 30 | |
Todd Johnson | 733-7659 | 35 | |
Dana Jones | 733-7850 | 31 | |
Michael A. Lazzara | 715-3034 | 6 | |
Michael V. Lee | 715-2525 | 7 | |
Paul A. Lowe, Jr. | 733-5620 | 32 | |
Julie Mayfield | 715-3001 | 49 | |
Tom McInnis | 733-5953 | 21 | |
Chris Measmer | 733-7223 | 34 | |
Graig Meyer | 733-5804 | 23 | |
Timothy D. Moffitt | 733-5745 | 48 | |
Mujtaba A. Mohammed | 733-5955 | 38 | |
Natalie S. Murdock | 733-4599 | 20 | |
Buck Newton | 733-5878 | 4 | |
Brad Overcash | 733-5734 | 43 | |
Bill Rabon | 733-5963 | 8 | |
Gladys A. Robinson | 715-3042 | 28 | |
DeAndrea Salvador | 733-5655 | 39 | |
Norman W. Sanderson | 733-5706 | 2 | |
Benton G. Sawrey | 715-3040 | 10 | |
Vickie Sawyer | 715-3038 | 37 | |
Eddie D. Settle | 733-5742 | 36 | |
Kandie D. Smith | 715-8363 | 5 | |
Caleb Theodros | 715-3050 | 41 | |
Joyce Waddell | 733-5650 | 40 |
In the event that the bill passes the Senate, it will move to the House committee: Agriculture and Environment. We are setting meetings with as many members of this committee as will speak with us. Please contact all of the members of this committee as well.
Members of the House committee: Agriculture and Environment
UPDATE 5/8/25: Senate Bill 639 has made it out of committee with the new language banning raw milk for pets. It now goes to the Senate for a vote sometime next week- we don't currently have a date- most likely Wednesday. Please contact your senators as soon as possible!
We have created a FB group to come together as a community for discussion and updates from others that may have more information than us. Join us here: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1T8DA7oCsR/
We have also created a petition- PLEASE SIGN ASAP!
UPDATE 5/6/25: Urgent Action Needed!
Senate Bill 639 was changed in committee today. Under the new language of the bill, if passed, it would become ILLEGAL to sell raw milk for PETS in NC. The raw milk for pets that Unleashed, the Dog & Cat Store sells both from a local farm, and from many national pet food companies that sell their raw milk to pet stores across the nation, would be banned here in NC. PLEASE contact your legislators TODAY and ask them not to make raw milk for pets illegal in North Carolina.
UPDATE: This bill goes to the Finance committee on Wednesday, 5/7, so we need IMMEDIATE ACTION!
Email your legislators in the Senate and the House- if this passes the Senate, it will go to the House soon. If you prefer, here is a form with some pre-filled info that you can just enter your info into for a quick and easy way to email them. This form is not just about raw milk for pets, so you would want to add that in the message. Originally the bill was not about pets, that was added 5/6, so please mention your pets in the message.
To thank you for speaking up for the pets of NC, we will randomly select one pet to receive 1 YEAR of Pet Milk, if we can. See below:
🐾Raise your paw if your pet has ever been helped by raw milk or kefir for pets? Has raw milk helped your pet with digestive issues, hydration, boosting key nutrients or something else? Or does your pet love it as a treat? Or maybe your pet hasn't tried it yet, but you would like to be able to someday...
Share with us and be entered to win a ONE YEAR SUPPLY OF RAW MILK FOR PETS!
🐮 Share your testimonials!
🐐 Share pictures of the pets that raw milk has benefitted!
⚖ Share a screenshot or just let us know that you contacted your legislator- even if your pet hasn't tried raw milk yet!
🐶🐱 One entry for each picture and each testimonial shared, plus each legislator contacted!
Share in the comments on this blog, on Facebook, and/or on Instagram!
We will randomly select one lucky pet to win a year supply of raw pet milk, IF we still can…
Why IF? It has come to our attention that there has been an amendment to a Farm bill in the NC Senate that will eliminate our ability to sell raw milk for pets: Senate Bill 639.
If you believe raw milk should remain available for pets and improve the lives of those animals that benefit from it, please share your stories and contact your legislators and let them know.
Find your Legislator here: https://www.ncleg.gov/FindYourLegislators
If you live near one of our stores, here are a few quick links for you:
Unleashed Lake Boone, Stonehenge, and Crabtree Valley Mall (District 16):
Unleashed at Cary (District 13):
Unleashed Durham- Parkway Plaza and Downtown (District 22):
Unleashed Streets at Southpoint (District 20):
Unleashed Wilmington (District 7):
Senator Lee is a sponsor of this bill.
Unleashed Front St & Unleashed Southport (District 8):
Tag the pet food companies whose raw milk has helped your pet:
Primal Pet Foods
The Bones and Co
Steve’s Real Food
Solutions Pet Products
Answers Pet
Brown Family Farm
OC Raw
Contest extended until 5/8.
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