State Investigation Finds Multiple Violations At Wayne County Animal Shelter

GOLDSBORO, N.C. – The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has assessed a $2,900 civil penalty against the Wayne County Animal Adoption and Education Center following an investigation into animal care and shelter conditions.

The notice, issued by the department’s Animal Welfare Section on April 20, cites multiple violations discovered during a March 31 investigation at the Goldsboro shelter.

According to the state’s findings, the investigation began after a complaint alleged the shelter failed to provide adequate veterinary care to a cat named Clover that reportedly suffered from fractures to its back and pelvis.

State inspectors alleged the shelter failed to maintain accurate medical records, failed to provide continuous access to fresh water to dogs in 10 enclosures, failed to follow its own veterinary care program and failed to provide timely veterinary treatment to the injured cat.

The largest portion of the penalty — $2,000 — stemmed from allegations that dogs in 10 enclosures did not have access to water on March 31. The report states the shelter director acknowledged the dogs had not yet been given water that day. State records noted the shelter had previously been cited for a similar violation during an April 2025 inspection.

An additional $500 penalty was assessed for failure to provide adequate veterinary care to the cat later renamed Clover.

According to the state report, the cat arrived at the shelter on March 9 with visible skin lesions and later developed additional wounds. Inspectors said a veterinarian eventually examined the cat on March 23 and recommended x-rays due to abnormalities involving the cat’s back and rear legs.

The state alleges the shelter did not obtain the recommended x-rays and instead transferred the cat to a rescue organization on March 26.

The rescue organization reportedly took the cat directly to a veterinarian, where Clover was diagnosed with multiple serious injuries, including fractured vertebrae near the pelvis, pelvic fractures, puncture wounds, a fractured tail and tissue damage that later required part of the tail to be amputated.

The state also assessed a $200 penalty for inaccurate or incomplete shelter records and another $200 penalty for failing to implement the shelter’s written veterinary care program.

In a statement, Wayne County officials said they are working with state regulators to address the issues.

“We have been in contact with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and their legal team regarding this issue. As part of this, staff are participating in training and some policies are being updated.”

“Wayne County Animal Services is committed to the care and protection of animals in our community, and our staff work every day to ensure animals in our care are safe and have the opportunity to find forever homes,” according to the statement.

Under state law, Wayne County has 60 days to either pay the penalty, appeal the assessment through the Office of Administrative Hearings or pursue settlement negotiations with the state.