New Director Named at City Animal Shelter

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Memphis Mayor A C Wharton said no shortcuts were taken when he hired the new Memphis Animal Shelter director Matthew Pepper. He said he's confident in his choice, and that the new director brings both operational and fiscal management experience.

According to news reports out of Shreveport, Louisiana, newly named Memphis Animal Shelter Director, Matthew Pepper, took over at his current job after the shelter director and 2 others left amid accusations of mismanagement and policy violations.

When Pepper begins in Memphis next month, he'll be replacing former director, Ernest Alexander, who along with a shelter supervisor and vet, is under indictment for several counts of animal cruelty.

"I interviewed him personally," said Mayor AC Wharton.

Wharton said prior experience in turning things around was one of the qualities that made Pepper stand out from the rest. He said Pepper is fully aware of what he's walking into at the shelter.

"Absolutely. No surprises here," Wharton said.

The Wharton Administration said extra steps were added in the national search to fill the shelter director position. In addition to running a background check, animal agencies all over the country were contacted for references.

"I googled, googled and googled, and read newspapers, and called and talked to people," Wharton said.

What Wharton said he eventually found in Pepper was "superior experience" and "qualification for the job."

"He brought with him policies and procedures he had written, a manual for everything on how to buckle your belt to whatever," said Wharton.

A news release from Wharton's Office said Pepper is coming to Memphis from Shreveport, where he's been serving as Director of Caddo Parish Animal Services. The release also said Pepper's made a career in Animal Welfare and Control that spans 13 years.

LINK | Matthew Pepper's Resume (PDF)

"He's shown he knows how to build relationships and ties in the community in which he's worked and I'm hopeful he'll be able to do that here," said Wharton.

Pepper takes over March 1st.

Meanwhile, former director Ernest Alexander was taken into custody Friday in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The two other former shelter employees were arrested Thursday.