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KENANSVILLE — After repeated state citations and public scrutiny, the Duplin County Animal Shelter received an approved compliance inspection from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Animal Welfare Section last week, indicating documented improvements across multiple operational areas.
The Facility Compliance Inspection, approved on Jan. 13, evaluated the shelter under the North Carolina Animal Welfare Act and related administrative codes. The shelter received an overall approved status, with most areas fully compliant and only minor corrective actions noted.
County Manager Lisa Hughes acknowledged the shelter’s history of violations and said the county is focused on long-term improvements.
“We want to make sure that we get it right and the changes made are permanent and in the best interests of the animals we protect and house temporarily at the Animal Shelter,” Hughes said.
State inspectors noted significant improvements in cleanliness and facility conditions. The shelter “was much cleaner and had improved smell throughout the facility,” the inspector noted.
According to the AWS report, animal care practices were found to be compliant during the January visit. “All animals had water during inspection,” and “all animals with medical concerns had proper documentation and veterinarian records,” the inspector reported.
Inspectors also noted that “no animals were present in the play yard during this inspection.”
The inspection report found recordkeeping to be compliant. “Medication records have proper reason noted from shelter veterinarian treatment recommendations or shelter treatment protocol.” Inspectors further noted that “record keeping has been updated and have been consistently being filled out daily with proper details required.” Adoption documentation was also compliant, with “adoption records reviewed had legal ID for adopters and proper documentation for adoption,” the report states.
Veterinary oversight met regulatory requirements. “During this inspection I reviewed new documentation of veterinary care and treatment plans from the shelter vet,” the inspector wrote, adding that “treatment plans set by the shelter vet have been followed and properly documented.”
Indoor conditions, including ventilation, were found to be compliant. Inspectors noted one area requiring improvement: the absence of a functional thermometer in the cat room to verify temperature monitoring. The issue was documented with corrective action recommended.
Additional improvements to water access and sanitation are underway. “Water bowls have been added to the outdoor portion of kennels for animals when animals are moved there during cleaning,” the report states, and “the facility is working on water line cut off values to ensure water bowls can be more easily sanitized daily.”
Inspectors observed that there were county workers working on the water lines while they were there for the inspection.
“Overall, the shelter has improved with deep cleaning and verifying all animals have consistent access to water,” wrote the AWS inspector.
Inspectors also cited improvements in staff oversight and daily monitoring. “Facility has implemented walk-throughs first thing in the morning by supervising staff to monitor for any medical concerns and ensure all animals have water.”
The inspector also noted that the facility has been in consistent contact regarding policies and plans to send the inspector copies as they are completed for review.
When Duplin Journal asked Hughes whether any rescues or volunteers will remain banned from the facility, and about the timeline for completing the improvements suggested on the inspection, she stated that policy revisions remain in progress and those updates will include increased accountability measures.
“All of the Shelter’s policies, procedures and forms are being reviewed and revised appropriately for more accountability, including documentation,” Hughes told Duplin Journal. “We will go through a vetting process for rescues and a process for volunteers that includes background checks.”
As for the timeline for completing the improvements suggested on the inspection, Hughes said the county is evaluating best practices and consulting with other shelters before finalizing changes.
“While we are doing the things as expeditiously as possible, it is more important to us that we take the time needed to do the research and make sure it is right. We are talking with other Shelters and visiting other Shelters as well.”
