Photos shared online by a former employee of the Animal Protection Society of Durham show moldy food and animals covered in their own waste, according to WRAL News. The shelter’s leaders say the images are old and that conditions have improved. The animals in its care deserve more than that promise. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS), led by Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, must open an independent investigation and start unannounced inspections at the shelter.

State records tell a troubling story. The shelter passed every inspection from 2018 through January 2025. Then, in September 2025, inspectors gave it only conditional approval, listing nine areas that needed improvement and three that failed to meet state rules, including access to water and sanitation. A July 2026 inspection found that earlier problems had been fixed but that some repairs were still needed.

That leaves serious questions. When were the photos taken? Did the state know? Were any fines issued? WRAL has asked the department, and the public deserves answers too.

Animals arrive at shelters when they are sick, hurt, or alone. They cannot speak up when water bowls run dry or kennels go uncleaned. Scheduled inspections give a shelter time to prepare. Surprise visits show what daily life is really like.

The shelter’s interim director has invited the community to hold it accountable. A state investigation, plus regular unannounced inspections with reports posted online, is the clearest way to do that. The Durham County Board of Commissioners should also make sure the county’s shelter meets every standard.

Sign the petition to demand a full investigation and surprise inspections before another animal suffers out of sight.