With summer travel in full swing, that can mean more boarding for family pets.
WRAL Investigates went through state records for boarding facilities and found some troubling violations. It’s a reminder to do your due diligence before selecting a facility.
Among the findings in Department of Agriculture inspection reports and violation notices were a dog fight without proper documentation of the incident, a kennel manager seemingly high on marijuana, and improper notification to the state after pet deaths.
Many of the findings related to conditions of the kennels, where inspectors sometimes found feces piling up, physical structures in disrepair, and temperatures that were too hot.
The most urgent violation, according to Dr. Patricia Norris, who oversees inspections as the state’s Animal Welfare Director, is “first and foremost, lack of water.”
This was noted to be the case at multiple kennels visited by Norris’ staff, including one in Huntersville where the inspector noted that “the kennel failed to provide the boarding animals with continuous access to water as 12 of the 15 dogs did not have any access to water. The remaining three dogs only had a trace of water left in the water receptacles.”
Among the violations WRAL Investigates found in state records were documents related to a dog’s death in May. They state that the dog had been at the Barkington in Leland and suffered from heatstroke after being in a sunny play area without continuous access to water.
The violation notice states: “Statements made by the kennel staff during the May 28, 2025, site visit indicate that no water or water receptacle was present in the outside exercise area when they found [the dog] on May 16, 2025 … He developed complications due to the severity of the heatstroke and was euthanized.”
The state fined the Barkington $3,000 for this and other violations.
WRAL Investigates reached out to the Barkington, and received a response stating that the incident occurred before the previous owner took over. We emailed and called the current owner, who is listed on the fine, to see if it was paid or being contested. She declined to comment.
At Hounds Town in Wilmington, a state inspector found that staff did not document an injury to a dog, who was hurt in a dog fight. The Department of Agriculture issued a fine of $1,400 for this and seven other violations to Scott Weikert, the owner and operator.
Weikert sent a statement to WRAL Investigates reading in part: “The isolated incident that occurred is not consistent with the standards of Hounds Town Wilmington, and we have already reviewed our internal processes to ensure this type of situation does not happen again. While we appreciate and share the concern, it’s important to note that the issue being brought to light involves a former team member who is no longer with our business.”
WRAL Investigates reached out to the owner to see if he paid or is contesting the fine. The spokesperson responded with a statement about the findings, calling them a paperwork issue. A spokesperson for Hounds Town said the dog day care center paid the fine.
Additionally, an inspector notes Tail Waggin’ Ranch in Swansboro failed to record the death of one dog, and the escape of another. The facility’s owner, Jefferey Bailey, was fined $2,400 for these and eight other violations.
WRAL Investigates reached out to Tail Waggin’ Ranch, who said they did all they could to save the dog and they didn’t realize they still had to report the death once the dog was in the care of a veterinarian.
Norris, a veterinarian by training, takes her role to protect the state’s animals seriously.
“It is something I take very dear to heart is the responsibility of the public’s animals being well cared for,” Norris said.
Norris’ department’s findings at the kennels are public.
To search a facility by name, go to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ website. In the license group/division tab, select the last option, which is Veterinary – Animal Welfare. Then, under licensee/card holder, type the name of the facility. You do not need to fill out license type or license number. Click or tap the search button. Under details, then attachments, you can see the inspection reports.
The site also lists recent disciplinary actions.
Brittany Mize, who told WRAL Investigates she boards her dog, was glad to learn of the mechanisms to check a facility’s history.
“I did not know that that information was available,” she said. “I’m definitely going to take a look before our vacation.”
Seeing a violation at a facility shouldn’t inherently be a red flag, Norris says. She says what is more important is the type of violation, the number of violations, and the facility’s willingness to correct issues identified by her inspectors.
“Go online, look at the facility, see if what it offers is what you’re looking for,” Norris said. “If it’s cited and the next time they go back it’s fixed, OK. That shows a willingness to comply.”
Norris suggests visiting facilities in person before committing to boarding your animal.
Norris says her team inspects each of the state’s 700-plus licensed facilities at least once a year. The team can issue fines of up to $5,000 per violation and issue suspensions. Norris says she would like more power to more quickly shut places down by being able to seek court injunctions to stop operations.
“It’s up to legislators to make the statutes,” she said.
WRAL Investigates reached out to state Senate leader Phil Berger and state House leader Destin Hall to ask if that was something they would support or pursue. We have not yet heard back.
While these violations can be frightening for pet owners to hear, Norris offers some reassurance.
“The bad actors are the ones that get the attention,” she said. “That is the minority in this case.”
She stressed the importance of following your gut feeling.
“There are really really good ones,” she said. “So don’t be scared off. Just do your due diligence. Trust your gut.”
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