WAYNE COUNTY, NC — The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Animal Welfare Section has assessed a $2,900 civil penalty against the Wayne County Animal Adoption and Education Center following an investigation into allegations that a cat named Clover did not receive adequate veterinary care.
According to findings released by Dr. Patricia Norris, director of the Animal Welfare Section, the investigation began after a complaint was received on March 30, 2026, alleging the shelter failed to provide proper treatment for a cat later named Clover, who was suffering from severe injuries including fractures to her back and pelvis.
During a site visit conducted on March 31, investigators identified multiple violations of the North Carolina Animal Welfare Act and associated regulations.
Among the findings, investigators determined shelter records were incomplete and had not been updated within the required 48-hour timeframe. The records reportedly failed to document visible skin lesions observed when Clover entered the shelter on March 9 and did not include treatment that shelter staff said had been provided. Investigators also found that a veterinary examination conducted on March 23 was not documented in the shelter’s records.
The investigation also revealed that 10 dog enclosures lacked access to fresh drinking water during the inspection. According to the report, shelter management acknowledged the dogs had not been provided water at any point that day. State officials noted the shelter had previously been cited for the same violation during a disapproved compliance inspection in April 2025.
Investigators further concluded the shelter failed to follow its own Program of Veterinary Care. Shelter records indicated Clover had visible skin lesions upon intake and later developed additional lesions after receiving an antibiotic injection. A veterinarian reportedly recommended radiographs due to concerns about abnormalities involving the cat’s back and hind legs, but those recommendations were not followed before the cat was transferred to a rescue organization.
After Clover was transferred on March 26, the rescue immediately sought veterinary treatment. Medical evaluations found the cat was suffering from multiple serious injuries, including fractured and dislocated vertebrae, several pelvic fractures, healing puncture wounds, a fractured tail, a tail abscess, and tissue death requiring partial tail amputation.
Based on the investigation, the Animal Welfare Section cited the shelter for four violations:
• Failure to maintain accurate records and update them within 48 hours.
• Failure to provide continuous access to fresh, potable water to dogs in 10 enclosures.
• Failure to implement the shelter’s approved Program of Veterinary Care.
• Failure to provide adequate veterinary care in a timely manner to Clover.
The state assessed penalties totaling $2,900, including $2,000 for the water violations, $500 for inadequate veterinary care, and additional fines related to recordkeeping and veterinary care program compliance.
The Animal Welfare Section warned that continued or future violations could be considered willful disregard of the Animal Welfare Act and could result in more severe penalties, including fines of up to $5,000 per violation or actions affecting the shelter’s registration status.
The Wayne County Animal Adoption and Education Center is owned and operated by Wayne County and remains a registered animal shelter under North Carolina law.
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