By admin 
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — When it comes to keeping animals safe in North Carolina, state inspectors are the front line.
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CBS 17 Investigates went inside the inspection process used at animal shelters, pet stores and breeding facilities across the state. It wasn’t the real deal, but we walked through a mock inspection completed by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, coordinated with the Wake County Animal Shelter.
The goal? To show us what the real deal is actually like.
“These inspections at facilities are done twice a year,” said Christopher Bradley, program coordinator and inspection supervisor for the N.C. Department of Agriculture.
Bradley has been surveying facilities for five years. It’s a role that he says can shape conditions for animals long after he leaves.
“One of my favorite things is, of course, the happy endings when the dogs get to go home,” Bradley said. “I like to see when animals are reunited with their owners in the lobby, and I like to see the happy endings for the facilities themselves.”
But it’s not all wagging tails, friendly meows and excited barks – Bradley means business.
“In a facility like this, we’re doing an inspection of the physical facility, as well as their records,” he said. “And in a facility of this size, it can sometimes take up to three hours just for that whole process.”
Bradley tells CBS 17 Investigates that he checks for sealed surfaces, safe enclosures and records that show animals are being properly cared for.
If an issue is found, he’ll conduct a follow-up inspection.
The Department of Agriculture said its animal welfare section conducted 2,089 inspections last year.
This resulted in about 50 disciplinary actions, including notices of violations, penalties, or even license revocations.
An inspection conducted on Oct. 15, 2025, at the Wake County Animal Shelter resulted in a $1,400 fine and a warning from the department over violations an inspector said were found at the facility.
It noted dirty HVAC vents, damaged or missing waterproof sealant in some dog enclosures and sharp edges partially exposed on some cable dog doors. The notice said the shelter requested a fix for this, but general services wasn’t able to repair it entirely.
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The letter also said the inspector found several damaged water receptacles, exposing sharp metal edges.
CBS 17 asked Bradley whether all of those issues have been corrected.
“Yes, they’ve all been corrected,” he told us.
In January 2026, the shelter closed for over a month to make repairs. This included getting the water bowls fixed, painting and sealing cracks, as well as cleaning vents.
“If you have pets, you know that there’s dust,” said Dr. Jennifer Federico, the director of Wake County Animal Services. “I don’t care how much you vacuum. Imagine the amount of animals we have. So, it is something that we have to stay on top of partnering with our [General Services Administration] folks to have them do the things that they do.”
Federico said the General Services Administration comes to the shelter about three times a week, fixing something.
“We don’t do that kind of maintenance,” she said. “But we’re responsible for the reporting of it because at the end of the day, we’re here every day we’re seeing it.”
While the Wake County Animal Shelter closed temporarily for repairs, Federico said they don’t plan to be in their current facility much longer.
“The new facility is in the process of being designed, and I would hope that within the next three years, it will be ready to be opened and occupied,” Federico told CBS 17.
Until then, inspections will continue in the current building on Beacon Lake Drive to make sure all the furry faces continue to get what they need.
“I think the biggest thing is that at the end of the day, everyone just wants what’s best for the animals and to care for them,” Federico said. “And, you know, that’s everyone’s goal. And counties work really hard to make that happen, and the state is there to support us in it.”
CBS 17’s Mary Smith is an Investigative Reporter focused on Digging Deeper and Getting Answers. If you have a story that needs investigating, send an email to [email protected].
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