The City’s old animal shelter began operation in the 1960s. At that time, the focus in Yonkers, as in most communities, was animal control, and the shelter was seen as a temporary holding facility for animals that were picked up off the streets. In September 2013, Mayor Mike Spano joined the Yonkers City Council, Yonkers’ State Delegation, charitable and non-profit organizations to cut the ribbon on the new state-of-the-art Animal Shelter at 1000 Ridge Hill Boulevard. In contrast to the old facility, the new 11,000 sq ft Animal Shelter was built with a focus on adoption. The facility is not only larger than the old Animal Shelter but features a welcoming public reception space, modern indoor and outdoor kennels, separate intake and adoption areas, modern medical facilities and meet-and-greet spaces where visitors can enjoy quality one-on-one time with their prospective new pets.
Potential pet adopters must complete an pet adoption application. The adoption application is designed to give Animal Shelter staff more information about the pet adopter's household and experience with animals and generally provides the basis by which animals are placed in suitable homes. Please Note: As of Monday, August 17, 2020, adoptions will be made by appointment only. You can call the Yonkers Animal Shelter at 914-377-6730 between the hours of 11:00am - 4:00pm, Sunday through Saturday. Once your application has been approved, you will be contacted and given an appointment. Because the decision to adopt a lifelong companion is a big step in one's life, all family and household members must participate in the selection of a pet. It is also required that dogs in current households meet the Shelter dog before the adoption process is finalized.