MOUNT VERNON PARTNERS WITH HUMANE SOCIETY OF WESTCHESTER
New Partnership Solves Issue of Taxpayers Maintaining Antiquated Building, While Assuring Professional and Humane Care for City’s Animals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2022 - This week, the City of Mount Vernon entered into an agreement with the Humane Society of Westchester at New Rochelle to take over shelter services from the city shelter and provide a professional and humane alternative to care for these animals housed there. The agreement will lead to the closure of the shelter on Garden Avenue near Sandford Boulevard, and shift services to the Humane Society, a widely respected nonprofit organization founded in 1911 that is dedicated to “promoting the human/animal bond through the compassionate care and treatment of animals throughout the communities we serve in Westchester County and beyond.”
The City of Mount Vernon is required to either maintain a shelter for dogs or contract for pound or shelter services. As such, Mt. Vernon has decided to join 19 other local municipalities, towns, and villages and contract its animal shelter services to the Humane Society of Westchester at New Rochelle. This partnership differs from others held by the Humane Society with the takeover of shelter services from an existing shelter and rehoming of current animals.
Mayor Patterson-Howard said “The shelter has experienced some very public challenges over decades in the form of finances, deteriorating physical conditions, and personnel challenges. Some of these have been largely mitigated by the Friends of Mt. Vernon Shelter Animals Inc., who have provided both volunteer and financial support for years, and we are grateful to have their support throughout this transition. We are excited about this new partnership with the Humane Society of Westchester which has the resources and expertise necessary to improve the quality of life and adoptability of the current animals and any animals moving forward. I encourage rescues, families, and anyone that has space in their hearts and homes to contact us at 914-665-2521 to leave a message so they can be matched with a forever friend this holiday season.”
The Board of the Directors for the Friends of the Mt. Vernon Shelter Animals Inc. provided the following statement, “We will support the animals in this transition in every way we can. Right now, our main priority is to assist the Mount Vernon Animal Shelter in finding placement for its current animals. Although the shelter is closing, the Friends mission will go on. We will continue our mission of assisting the animals in the community and homeless animals in some way.”
The City expects this phased transition to take place over the course of several weeks.
“The Jewel of Westchester”
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