The Lenoir County SPCA failed a follow-up inspection by state officials Tuesday. This is the second failed inspection in less than three months.
The shelter failed a surprise inspection on Nov. 18 and was required to submit a written correction plan to the Animal Welfare Section and have a follow-up inspection. A passing inspection was performed in early December.
The newest inspection failure has state officials requiring the Lenoir County SPCA to again fix issues and provide a written correction plan within seven days. The newest failed inspection found the shelter was not in compliance in multiple general categories, facilities, enclosures and sanitation.
Another notable part of the inspection is the number of animals on the premises. During the failed November inspection the shelter had more cats and dogs than they were licensed to have. On Dec. 8 there were 72 cats at the shelter and on Jan. 26 there were 32 cats at the shelter.
There were a total of fourteen “not in compliance” ratings during the inspection.
Charitable Solicitation License expired
As part of the Lenoir County SPCA’s fundraising attempts to build a new $1.7 million shelter, the organization applied for a charitable solicitation license as required by NC law.
The 2017 application cites collecting more than $25,000 in fundraising activities as the reason for needing the license. The solicitation license must be applied for annually and nonprofits are required to provide documentation to the state.
In 2020, there was a problem with the renewal. SPCA President Jerry Henderson cites in a June 8 letter to the Charitable Solicitation Licensing Division as board changeover as the reason and the paperwork was missed.
According to documents from the North Carolina Secretary of State, the Lenoir County SPCA lost the ability to solicit funds in May of 2020. The Secretary of State website currently shows the SPCA has an expired license.
The May 28 letter to the organization states, “solicitation of charitable contributions without a valid license may subject this organization to enforcement action pursuant to N. C. Gen. Stat. 13 lF-23.”
Penalties outlined in state statute could include imposing an administrative penalty not to exceed $1,000 for each act or omission which constitutes a violation, the issuing of a cease and desist order, refusing to register or canceling or suspending a registration, placing the registrant on probation for a period of time, issuing of a letter of concern, or canceling an exemption granted.
The Lenoir County SPCA was advised in the May letter that, “your current file is being closed at CSL Licensing and will be referred to the Enforcement Unit.”
Lenoir County SPCA shelter fails state inspection
The housing facilities at the shelter were found not to be structurally sound and maintained in good repair, the electric power was not deemed reliable and safe, supplies of food and bedding were not stored and adequately protected against infestation or contamination by vermin and insects and the daily removal and disposal of animal and food waste, bedding and debris; facility maintained in a clean and sanitary manner was not in compliance.
The inspector wrote the following notes, “Piles of dirty animal bedding were again noted outside the laundry room door. This item has been noted on previous inspections. The shelter does not have adequate laundry cleaning equipment to keep up with the amount of dirty bedding generated at this shelter especially in cold weather months. The president advised on a previous inspection that dirty laundry is occasionally taken to a laundry mat. The shelter must create a workable plan to keep up with the dirty laundry – piles of dirty laundry stacked outside the shelter are not acceptable.”
Safe electrical was also a seemingly major concern for the inspector.
“Today it was noted a shelter attendant was using a shop vacuum to aid in cleaning the clogged drain in the indoor kennel room. The drain was full of liquid and the electrical cord was lying in the water. Management was immediately advised and the cord was attached by zip ties high on the kennels so it was not in the water or in reach of the dogs. The moving of the electrical cord was done during the inspection today.”
The electrical issues were identified as a hazard to the dogs and the person. Management was “strongly warned” to use all electrical in a safe manner for animals and humans.
Indoor and outdoor facilities need improvements
In the indoor k-9 kennel room the left drain was clogged and there was a drain full of standing water and has been that way since Dec. 27, according to the inspection.
“I was also advised that county maintenance has been contacted and was advised it will take some major concrete work to get to the area that is clogged to be opened and fixed,” wrote the inspector. “I noted the shelter attendant was scooping the feces and using a shop vacuum to clean today. The shelter president has been advised to submit in writing within 7 calendar days of today a complete corrective action plan that will fix this problem and maintain compliance with AWS.”
The shelter was given a demerit for the outdoor housing not providing animals enough coverage to remain dry and comfortable during inclement weather.
The inspector noted the protection material on the backside of the animal control holding kennels needs reattaching or replaced so there is adequate weather protection for these kennels.
The inspector also noted there was inadequate space in the puppy room.
“The space formula for dogs has been shared on previous inspections with management,” the inspector wrote. “I advised it is acceptable to house litter mates together as long as there is adequate space in the enclosure.”
It was also noted that there were three cats in one cage with no raised resting surface – a lack of adequate space.
The inspector also documented that the number of employees went from 15 at the December inspection to 11.
This Lenoir County SPCA must submit to Animal Welfare within 7 calendar days of this inspection a complete written corrective action plan that will maintain compliance with the Animal Welfare Code.
This facility will have 30 calendar days to correct all inadequacies noted on this inspection and a follow up inspection will be conducted.
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