Kim Coulter, a longtime resident of Sumter and military family transplant, has taken the reins as Director of Second Chance Animal Shelter in Clarendon County. With a steadfast commitment to animal welfare and a deep connection to the community, Coulter brings years of experience and an ambitious vision to her new role.
Originally from Conway, Coulter moved to the area in 1983 when her father was stationed at Shaw Air Force Base. Although her family still lives in Sumter, Coulter considers herself a local through and through. “I might as well have been born here,” she said with a laugh.
Coulter’s background is steeped in customer service, a skill set she credits for preparing her to handle the shelter’s day-to-day operations. “I’ve been working in customer service in some form since I was 15,” she said. “That experience has taught me how to juggle multiple priorities and connect with people, which is a critical part of running the shelter.”
Her journey at Second Chance began in 2019, when she responded to an Indeed advertisement for the position of Animal Control Administrator. Over the past five years, Coulter has worn many hats at the shelter, including Rescue Coordinator and Veterinary Technician. When the opportunity to step into the director’s role arose, Coulter jumped at the chance. “The shelter has definitely grown on me. It’s in my blood at this point,” she said.
The shelter currently cares for approximately 80 to 85 dogs and 30 cats, many of which arrive from animal control or are surrendered by the public. Coulter and her team work tirelessly to provide vaccinations, medical care, and daily exercise for their animals, all while coordinating adoptions and rescue placements.
“Most of our animals go to rescues because adoptions are slow,” Coulter explained. “We’re constantly working to find homes for them, whether locally or through transport to other areas. It’s a team effort to get them ready with vaccines, paperwork, and making sure they’re healthy before they leave.”
Food and medical care are among the shelter’s biggest expenses. “We go through about 100 pounds of dog food every day,” Coulter noted. “Just a few weeks ago, we had 47 puppies in our care, including six nursing mothers. Keeping up with those needs is a challenge.”
The shelter receives no state, federal, or county funding, relying entirely on donations and fundraisers to operate. Events like their annual golf tournament, to be held on March 29 this year, and their recent barbecue fundraiser are critical to keeping the shelter afloat.
While Coulter praised the dedication of the shelter’s small group of long-term volunteers, she emphasized the pressing need for new faces to lend a hand.
“We need new blood to come in and help us walk dogs, give them exercise, and just get involved,” she said. “Some of our volunteers have been with us for years, and while we’re grateful for them, we need more people to step up. There’s so much to do.”
The shortage of volunteers impacts everything from animal enrichment to administrative tasks. Coulter believes greater community involvement could transform the shelter’s ability to meet the needs of the animals in their care.
Coulter’s goals for Second Chance extend beyond simply keeping the shelter running. She envisions a future where the shelter becomes a more prominent part of the community. “A lot of people still don’t even know we’re here,” she said. “I’d love to see us grow our name and get more people involved.”
One of her key objectives is to strengthen the shelter’s partnership with Clarendon County Animal Control. “We’ve had a long-standing partnership to help save animals from animal control, but as the county moves toward building a new facility, we hope we can continue that collaboration,” Coulter said.
The construction of the shelter’s new clinic, while a work in progress, represents another step forward. “We’re making great progress, but every time we fix something, we find something else that needs attention,” she said. “We want to make sure it’s done right the first time.” Coulter added that the shelter remains optimistic about opening the clinic sometime in 2025, which will allow them to provide much-needed on-site medical care for their animals.
Those interested in supporting Second Chance Animal Shelter can donate food, money, or supplies. “Dog food, puppy food, and funds for medical care are always in high demand,” Coulter said. Volunteers are especially needed to help with walking dogs, assisting at events, and other daily tasks.
For Coulter, her role as director is more than just a job. “We’re doing the best we can to make a dent in the overpopulation of animals and to give them the second chance they deserve,” she said.
For more information or to get involved, visit the shelter’s website or contact them at 803-473-7075.