Animal Protection Society of Durham Responds to Social Media Images
Social media posts showing deplorable conditions and alleged poor care at the Animal Protection Society of Durham prompted a response from shelter leadership, who confirmed to WRAL that the images do not reflect the current state of the facility following months of changes.
The posts surfaced online featuring graphic images of mold in animal food and animals covered in feces. WRAL reported that a former employee published the material. Interim Executive Director Stacy Bluth stated that she and her staff have spent the past eight months working daily to correct issues at the facility.
What we want people in the community to know is that these photos are not what APS is like today,
Bluth told WRAL. The images are really disturbing, and it is hard to imagine any animal, particularly one who is coming to us when they are suffering or hurt or needing help, experiencing things like this.
Inside the Durham Animal Shelter Conditions and Inspections
WRAL captured video inside the Durham shelter, showing clean kennels along with proper feeding setups and food labeling. Bluth asserted that the photographs circulating online were not captured during her tenure, which began eight months ago when she was brought in to make changes at the shelter.
Public inspection records from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services show that the facility maintained an approved
status from 2018 through January 2025. However, a September 2025 inspection resulted in a contingently/conditionally approved
rating after state regulators noted three areas out of compliance and nine areas requiring improvement, including sanitation, access to water, and paperwork.
A subsequent state inspection in July 2026 documented that staff had corrected previously noted issues, though certain areas still required repairs.
We know that we are not perfect,
Bluth said. There is still work to be done, but we have made a lot of progress.
Shelter leadership invites local residents to tour facility
Following the circulation of the social media posts, shelter leadership invited local residents to visit the facility in person. Bluth encouraged community members to tour the shelter, volunteer, support the animals, and hold the organization accountable.
Meanwhile, WRAL reached out to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to determine whether state regulators had prior knowledge of the conditions shown in the online photographs, and to confirm if the state issued any fines or launched a formal investigation.
State records show Durham facility received conditional rating in September 2025
When did the shelter receive a conditional inspection status?
State records show the Durham facility received a contingently/conditionally approved
rating in September 2025 due to three non-compliant areas and nine items needing improvement.
What specific problems did state inspectors find in 2025?
The September 2025 inspection report from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services cited issues regarding sanitation, water access, and required paperwork.
How did state regulators evaluate the shelter during the following year?
An inspection conducted in July 2026 recorded that shelter staff successfully corrected the problems identified in previous visits, though some areas still needed physical repairs.
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