Volunteer Criticism Prompts APS of Durham to Confront Shelter Conditions

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A critical post on the r/bullcity subreddit this week called “APS” of Durham is not about the protection of animals sparked public concern and internal reflection at the Animal Protection Society of Durham, the nonprofit that operates Durham County’s open-admission animal shelter.

The post, written by someone identifying themselves as an APS volunteer, alleges serious shortcomings in the care of animals, facility maintenance, leadership responsiveness, and volunteer relations. On Friday, APS leadership responded on their official subreddit, acknowledging some of the volunteer’s claims and outlining actions that are being taken to improve conditions and communication.

Unsafe, Unsanitary Conditions?

The volunteer’s post outlined deteriorating physical infrastructure, including kennel doors held together with dog collars, broken guillotine dividers, and unsafe heat conditions during this summer’s heat waves.

The writer stated that “dogs are left to sit in 85-degree kennels at 95% humidity. And no one in charge seems to think it is a major issue, nor does the county, (which) said that the system wasn’t functioning because we open the doors too much. It is truly awful what the dogs must be experiencing. I don’t expect a county shelter to be a 5-star animal hotel, but as a citizen I do expect them to provide the minimum comforts required to keep an animal safe and healthy.”

The volunteer also took APS to task over euthanizing animals without pursuing all possible rehoming strategies, adding that their offers to help promote high-risk or special-needs dogs on social media were repeatedly turned down. Further exacerbating issues, the volunteer noted, was an assertion that APS suspended its foster program, even as the shelter reached or exceeded capacity.

They concluded: “I want to end this post by saying that I understand there is an ongoing animal welfare crisis in this country, which stems from the ongoing human welfare crisis that we are also experiencing. All of these issues are a result of broken systems and leadership that doesn’t seem to care. I am just trying to advocate for the animals since they can’t speak for themselves.”

Responding to the Allegations

In their response, APS leadership acknowledged many of the volunteer’s claims about facility issues, describing the challenges of operating one of the oldest animal shelter buildings in the region.

The post stated: “Many of the issues described, such as broken kennels, latches, guillotine doors, and air conditioning and heating, are indeed a direct result of the building’s age and wear. These are not ignored issues, but rather complex problems that require significant resources to resolve permanently.”

Regarding a recent HVAC issue in the front kennels, APS reported that the county’s General Services personnel responded the same day, and staff installed donated industrial fans to improve airflow. They also enacted policy changes to reduce internal heat exposure for the animals by limiting the use of kennel doors during extreme weather.

APS disputed the allegation about the foster program, which officials reported is still active, with more than 330 animals currently in foster homes. However, they acknowledged the program is at capacity and carefully limited to maintain quality of care.

Officials called euthanasia a “tragic necessity” due to intake pressure: “The supply of homeless animals far outnumbers the demand from potential pet parents.” They welcome volunteer assistance with promotion, but want more structure and staffing to assist with social media campaigns.

They also addressed reported breakdowns in volunteer relations, saying: “We are saddened to hear that some volunteers… have experienced rude or dismissive behavior. We are committed to improving our internal communication channels and creating more robust avenues for feedback.”

Building for the Future

APS concluded its post noting that Durham County is in the planning stages of a new, modern shelter facility – an effort described as monumental and long overdue. The new facility is expected to resolve many of the long-standing infrastructure issues cited by both the volunteer and APS officials. However, it’ll be years before it opens.

“We hope to take this opportunity to reflect and reinforce our commitment to Durham’s pets and animal-lovers,” APS officials wrote. “We hear your concerns, and we are actively working to address them. Our staff all love and care for these animals very deeply and go above and beyond to provide the most loving and humane care possible despite the ongoing challenges. Again, we are all united by a common goal: to provide the best possible care for the homeless animals of Durham County.”