Caulder to take over operations at Richmond County Animal Shelter; animal control reigns handed to Rivers Wildlife Removal

ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Animal Shelter will be under new management by October.

The county government announced Wednesday that operations will transfer Oct. 1 from K2 Solutions to local animal advocate Tessie Caulder.

“Ms. Caulder has over 30 years of experience working with animals, including prior shelter operation experience,” reads the release.

(Note: The press release was not sent to the RO, but was posted to the county’s Facebook page.)

“Ms. Caulder’s goals are to enhance the spay/neuter program, create a foster volunteer program and to further enhance the use of rescue groups,” the release continues.

K2 had been criticized during its three years of operation of the shelter for not working with volunteers, as well as for several failed state inspections.

The county announced in March that it would not renew K2’s contract, which expired June 30.

County officials have been relatively silent until the July 24 announcement. However, Finance Director Cary Garner told the RO in June that K2 would “be available and able to provide any assistance needed in the interim, even if they exceeded their official contract date.”

“I want to thank everyone who has stood behind me in this decision,” Caulder said in a Facebook post sharing the county’s press release. “This will hopefully be our chance to bring our community back together in the animal community while bringing in fosters, volunteers and rescues but mainly our chance to help give these animals the care they deserve.”

Caulder said the operation will be “a community effort.”

“I pray all who have reckless feelings of my new position just give me a chance to prove myself with the new ideas I have to promote animal welfare in our county,” Caulder continued, saying the change “won’t happen overnight. It will take time.”

Caulder said she intends to offer “a friendly staffing environment” and educate the public.

“I have a mission and I’m going to complete it. Naysayers are not permitted or tolerated,” Caulder said. “I want to give my county and these animals 110%. It’s where my heart is and animals have been my passion since I was a little girl. … I’ve heard the public outcries and I am moving forward in proving that with time, effort and working together, this change can be for the greater good of our community.”

Caulder concluded by thanking the county for the opportunity.

The county also announced that animal control services will be handed over from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office to Jasper Rivers, of Rivers Wildlife Removal. That change will also occur Oct. 1.

Rivers contracted with the Rockingham Police Department in 2023 to take over its animal control services.

“Mr. Rivers has many years of animal control experience and education that will enable him to provide exceptional service to the citizens of Richmond County,” the release states, adding that the sheriff’s office will continue to provide support services.

The press release concluded, thanking K2 for its partnership over the past three years and stating that the parties involved will be working together “to ensure a smooth transition.”