Nash County is facing a $6,700 fine for multiple violations according to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

This comes after the Animal Welfare Section (AWS) received complaints alleging the shelter did not provide proper care for the animals in their facility.

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On Friday, June 13, an investigator with the AWS conducted a site visit to the Nash County Animal Shelter to determine if the shelter had violated any provisions outlined by the state’s Animal Welfare Act.

According to investigation documents by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, investigators found the shelter had violated several policies.

Cats confined, unclean during inspection

A stray cat was euthanized on June 13, just one day after animal control had brought it in. Though the report outlines strays are required to be held for at least 72 hours, per state law.

Documents from the AWS show that the inspector reminded the director of this requirement, but the cat was still euthanized later that day after the inspector left.  

The inspector was also unable to match the cat with its record. According to the report, the inspector reviewed the shelter’s surrender paperwork and showed the cat did not match the Animal Control’s incident number or the shelter’s intake number.

Investigations also found the director was not truthful with the inspector about the cat, which is a direct violation.

The inspector noted the cat was confined to a cat trap in the sally port area of the shelter, an area not approved for housing animals.

When the inspector asked about the cat, the director went over to the trap and read the intake information. He said the cat was brought in on June 13 at noon, though further investigation revealed Animal Control had brought the cat in at 3:59 p.m. the previous day.

The now-euthanized cat, along with two other cats and their kittens were also found to be stored in enclosures that did not properly fit.

The report by the investigator listed that cats did not have space to walk, turn around freely, stand, lie or sit in a natural position without touching the sides or top of the enclosure. Their enclosures were also not properly cleaned.

Seven enclosures did not have any water available for the animals. Enclosures that did have water receptacles were visibly soiled.

The investigation also found that enclosures were not being cleaned at the minimum of two times a day. In fact, during the June 13 visit that started at 1 p.m., investigators found that none of the cat enclosures in the adoptable cat room and the feral cat room had been cleaned that day.

According to the shelter’s AWS registration renewal application, daily cleaning was supposed to happen at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The record of 10 of the long-term care dogs did not have documentation of their daily social interactions and enrichment.

The AWS report noted the inspector had previously discussed enrichment documentation with the shelter staff and provided them with a sample form that could be used for documentation on September 4, 2024.

The report also found a dog named Wally Earl, had not received the proper veterinary care. The medicine was attached to the dog’s enclosure.

Based on the medicine label, the prescription was issued April 11, and none of the medicine had been given to the dog. When asked why, the director told the inspector that the shelter did not have any “pill pockets” to put the pill pockets in, according to the report.

The report also shows the shelter failed to provide veterinary care in a timely manner to a kitten in the feral cat room. The inspector outlined that they had observed the kitten suffering from a very large, bulging eye.

The kitten was brought into the shelter on June 12, but no veterinary care had been provided, according to the report. The kitten was euthanized the next day.

The inspector did a follow-up site visit on June 16, just three days after the initial visit and found several more violations.

  • The shelter euthanized two animals within 24 hours of their intake into the shelter. There was no owner surrender forms or signatures, proof of ownership, or written waiver of the 72-hour minimum hold for these animals were obtained or maintained by the shelter
    • The shelter did not document the veterinary care for Wally Earl. When investigators asked about the dog’s medical record, it was found there was not one.
      • Three cat enclosures did not have any water present for the cats. The water receptacles were present in the enclosures, but they were completely dry. According to the report, the investigator emphasized the importance of providing continuous access to water on the initial visit.

        Nash County 'taking corrective action'

        Nash County officials posted on Facebook acknowledging they had received a notice from the state’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services regarding the findings at Animal Shelter.

        In the post, officials said they were taking the findings seriously and are committed to “taking immediate corrective actions.”

        “Nash County will be working closely with the state to address these issues and ensure that the shelter aligns with our community's values, providing a humane environment for the animals that reside there,” the statement read in part.