Our group works towards establishing a positive and supporting relationship with shelter staff, management and the public. We understand and appreciate the fact that the shelter staff work every day to keep basic functions of animal care, facility operations, dealing with the public and other priorities functioning. We will support shelter staff in these efforts wherever possible. Our continuing efforts are aimed toward enhancing adoptions, informing and educating the public, and improving/replacing the outmoded facilities. We advocate for resources and support fundraising efforts directed solely for the betterment of the Yonkers Animal Shelter and the dogs, cats and other animals in its care.
| Please click on the links to find out more about volunteering opportunities | |||
| Adoptions | Pet Finder web site | Adoption Days | Rescue Coordination |
| Transportation | Dog Walking | Dog Bathing | Cat Identification and Socialization |
| Shelter Facility | Training and Expert Resources | Fundraising | Donations |
| Publicity | Volunteer Coordination | Post Adoption Follow-up | |
To start volunteering at the Yonkers Animal Shelter, please
complete the Volunteer Application
Form and send it to: Rosemary Leeor fax it to (530) 706 88 49 One of our volunteer coordinators will contact you to discuss volunteering opportunities that match your schedule and interests. Volunteers engaging in activities at the shelter facility are subject to approval by the City of Yonkers Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation. |
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| The FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to print the application. It can be downloaded here. |
Assist potential adoptors with the process. Explain procedures.. Discuss desired
pet for the family. Help identify and recommend ideal pet to conform with their
lifestyle. First time pet owners to be informed of the care and responsibilites
of
pet guardianship. Retrieve selected pet and help acquaint with the potential
adoptor. We, as a group, are willing to work with person/s wishing to adopt
companion pets. We have adopted animals ourselves and refer people to the
shelter.
Maintain listing of dogs and cats (approximately one hundred and thirty animals on the list at any time); take photographs on a weekly basis, prepare descriptions, maintain and update web site, adding and removing animals as needed, work with shelter staff to identify new animals, those adopted, or otherwise unidentified.
Volunteers transport animals to adoption days, stay with animals and discuss the dog or cat with potential adopters to facilitate the process. Shelter staff and volunteers have coordinated adoption days, contacted agencies and sponsors such as North Shore Animal League, Hartsdale Pet Cemetery, Pet stores, etc.
Identify rescue organizations and animals which might fit profile of rescue group or individual, contact them, search databases and webs for sources, discuss proposed animals and conditions, arrange to have them come to shelter, check them out for legitimacy. Coordinate with shelter staff for approval and to arrange for removal.
Several volunteers transport animals to destinations throughout the city, county, state, and also interstate to connect with rescue or adoption networks. This is provided with our own personal vehicles and at no cost to the city. Coordinate with shelter staff and rescue group, supply crates, handle communications, and delivery. For adoption days, volunteers transport animals in their own vehicles to and from the location, along with shelter staff and vehicles.
Each weekend, and during the week, numerous volunteers participate in walking as many dogs as possible on the street, Fullerton Ave. We socialize dogs in the enclosures and provide much needed exercise and stress relief for the animals. The volunteers make every effort to get each dog out for a walk and some interaction. The volunteers have also begun working on obedience training. Volunteers have purchased at their own expense, leashes, treats, and other supplies. The volunteers return the dogs to the kennel area from which they removed them, and use the dog id cards, which were developed by the volunteers to track which have been taken out. This system based on the Petfinder data is used for identification and a clip is placed on the card to denote that the animal has been walked.
Volunteers bathe dogs in preparation for adoption events and to treat conditions such as cuts, and those animals brought to the shelter in poor condition. In warmer weather, we make every effort to bathe as many dogs as possible to keep them clean. A new bathing area has been installed by the city to upgrade our current facility which is in the kitchen area. Wash stations are available with warm running water near the outdoor pens.
All cats in the shelter are identified, assessed, tracked and photographed by volunteers for the web site In addition, volunteers spend weekends at the shelter socializing cats and assisting potential adopters. Cats are evaluated for social behaviors, medical issues, litter boxes are cleaned out, and each animal is assessed for potential adoption and behavior.
Volunteers have designed and built (with city assistance and supplies) the new cat outdoor enclosure, which has greatly reduced congestion, odor and maintenance in the cat room. This is a more normal setting for the cats, which are no longer largely confined to cages, rather can socialize, and visitors may see them in a natural setting, facilitating adoptions.
Volunteers have repaired, rebuilt and maintained sections of the shelter facility on their own time, repairing doors, runs, gates, and building shelves for cages.
Volunteers have conducted outreach to other animal professionals and secured trainers and experts to provide information and instruction. We regularly communicate with other groups such as the ASPCA, New Rochelle Humane Society, and other humane organizations.
Volunteers have raised funds through the ALPHA group, and independently from contributions for rescue operations, food, supplies such as beds and leashes, and many other needs.
Volunteers contact organizations and schools to obtain donations of carpet, bedding, towels, and food.
Volunteer members have coordinated positive publicity campaigns with Channel 12 News, the Journal News, NY Times, and other media outlets. Once a week, through the efforts of a volunteer, a dog and cat are featured on the Channel 12 Friday show. Flyers are designed to advertise the shelter and adoption days, and copied or printed, encouraging people to come to the shelter and look at the web site
The volunteer group has established committees and regularly meets with the members, also does outreach to new volunteers, provides training and mentoring. The volunteers are utilizing identification badges, for use at the shelter, which were supplied at no cost to the city.
Shelter management provides a list of recent adoptors. Volunteers coordinate contacting new guardians, seek update on pet's condition, offer advice, if needed, to help ease pet's transition to new environment and/or help guardians establish better relationship with their pets.