12 Dogs, 22 Cats Need Homes Ahead Of Mount Vernon Shelter Closing

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Last month, city officials announced that the troubled Mount Vernon animal shelter would be closing its doors for good.

The shelter's current adorable denizens, like past roommates Rocksi, Maribel, Mickey, Penny, Xena and Max are looking for new homes where the doors will always be open.

The troubled shelter, with a dedicated and caring staff that often didn't have a working phone and sometimes had to rely on the kindness of its social media network when there was no heat, will be closing, but the animals in crisis it helped will still have a safe harbor in the future.

The city said that it entered into an agreement with the Humane Society of Westchester at New Rochelle to take over shelter services from the Mount Vernon animal shelter.

"The shelter has experienced some very public challenges over decades in the form of finances, deteriorating physical conditions, and personnel challenges," Mayor Patterson-Howard said, announcing the move. "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."

Friends of the Mount Vernon Shelter Animals Inc. representatives said that while the decision represents challenges of its own, in the long run, the move is the right one for the city and the animals they have been caring for.

"We will support the animals in this transition in every way we can," the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Mt. Vernon Shelter Animals Inc. said in a statement. "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."

While the agreement will lead to the closure of the shelter on Garden Ave., which had been open since 1974, and shift services to the Humane Society, the immediate need to find homes for the shelter's current residents remains a top priority.

"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," Mayor Patterson-Howard said in a statement released on Wednesday. "The Mount Vernon Animal Shelter currently has 12 dogs and 22 cats that remain. I encourage rescues, families, and anyone that has space in their hearts and homes to contact us at 914-665-2521 to make an appointment so they can be matched with their new forever friend."

SEE ALSO:

• Troubled Shelter Closes, Mount Vernon Partners With Humane Society
• Animal Shelter Asks Community For Help As Heater Repairs Delayed
• 'Wiki' Back Home After Wild Ride Across 2 States In Stolen Car
• Mount Vernon Rescue Shelter Seeks Help With Emergency Placement