Durham residents received reassurance this week that the Animal Protection Society (APS) of Durham County is no longer operating under the deplorable conditions shown in a set of social‑media photos that circulated earlier this year. Interim Executive Director Stacy Bluth told WRAL News that the images were taken before she arrived eight months ago and do not represent the shelter today.
Progress Since New Leadership
Bluth, who was hired to overhaul the facility, said staff have been working daily to address the shortcomings identified in prior inspections. “We know that we are not perfect,” she said, “but we have made a lot of progress.” The shelter invited the community to tour the site, volunteer and hold staff accountable as improvements continue.
WRAL News captured video inside the shelter on Thursday, showing clean kennels, clearly labeled food containers and staff feeding animals in an orderly manner. “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,” Bluth said, adding that the current environment is far removed from the graphic pictures.
Inspection History
Public records from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services show that APS received a series of “approved” ratings from 2018 through January 2025. The September 2025 inspection, however, was marked “contingently/conditionally approved” because nine areas needed improvement and three were out of compliance, including access to water, sanitation and paperwork.
The most recent inspection in July 2026 noted that staff had corrected many of the earlier deficiencies, though some items still required repair. “Staff has corrected issues noted in previous inspections but there are still some that need repair,” the report stated.
Community Response and Next Steps
Local animal‑rights advocates expressed relief that the shelter is taking concrete steps to address past problems. “We appreciate the transparency and the invitation to see the facility for ourselves,” said a volunteer with the Durham Humane Society, who asked to remain unnamed.
Bluth emphasized that the shelter remains open to community oversight. “We want people in the community to know that these photos are not what APS is like today,” she said, urging residents to visit, volunteer and continue supporting the animals.
WRAL News has reached out to the state department to confirm whether any fines were issued or further investigations are planned, but the department has not yet responded.
What Residents Can Do
Anyone interested in seeing the improvements firsthand can schedule a tour through the APS website or contact the shelter directly. Volunteers are needed for animal care, facility maintenance and administrative support. Donations continue to be accepted to fund ongoing repairs and animal care supplies.
As the shelter works toward full compliance with state standards, Durham officials and community members alike are hopeful that the facility will become a model of compassionate, well‑managed animal care in the Triangle region.
Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.
